| Columbus Dispatch: Deal on HB347 near |
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| Written by Jeff Garvas | |
| Tuesday, 28 November 2006 | |
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The Tuesday Columbus Dispatch released some of what is expected to come out of concealed carry reform legislation in the Ohio Senate this week in Patrol, GOP near deal on gun bill Statewide preemption, an NRA goal since canceling the Ohio Convention due to Columbus' assault weapons ban, will survive changes to come this week and will make every gun law in Ohio consistent statewide. The bill, among other things, no longer would permit local governments to pass gun laws that go beyond the restrictions set by state lawmakers. This includes the assault-weapons ban passed by Columbus officials in the summer of 2005, and prohibitions on guns in parks or other places not designated as gun-free zones in state law. Those local laws would be invalidated.Number two on almost everyone's list is the way in which we must carry a firearm in a vehicle today. After nearly three years of concealed carry Ohio may actually adopt language that permits concealing a firearm in a motor vehicle on your person. Go figure! But gun-rights advocates, including bill sponsor Rep. James Aslanides, R-Coshocton, argued the plain-sight law caused logistical problems, particularly for women who carry guns in their purses rather than a holster. He also said it created unnecessary safety risks to move a gun from a holster to a glove box. The patrol now is backing away from its plain-sight requirement in exchange for an increased criminal penalty if the person fails to notify an officer that he or she is carrying a concealed gun. The penalty would go from a fourth- to a first-degree misdemeanor, with a two-year gun permit suspension.Unfortunately, every time the legislature opens Pandora's box of concealed carry reform we see things happen that shouldn't. The Ohio House adopted a change in HB347 that would make sealed records sealed, where as HB12 today requires a Sheriff to deny a license if sealed records reveal convictions that would disqualify someone from obtaining a license to carry concealed. Ohioans For Concealed Carry feels that the Sheriff should be permitted to apply common sense in each case where a sealed record is discovered. Records are sealed by a judge when the judge feels that the matter should be sealed and rights should be restored. Since 2004 we have seen countless cases of 15-20 year old innocent childhood indiscretions causing otherwise reasonable people denied the right to self-defense. Unfortunately, the Dispatch is now reporting that the House resolution to this problem is being pulled in committee. Unlike the loss of a change in HB347 mentioned above the Dispatch is also reporting that the legislature may remove a provision of the original HB12 that would allow you to transfer possession of a firearm to someone upon becoming intoxicated. We're torn on this issue since this was the lawful way to give someone your keys so to speak after you've had too much to drink We fully expect more to come out of the committee on Wednesday than what the news is reporting and Ohioans For Concealed Carry will cover those changes here on our website, with copies of the legislation itself. |