| Same Rules for Everybody |
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| Written by Daniel White | |
| Wednesday, 14 March 2007 | |
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The provision of HB347 affecting the most Ohio CHL holders this morning is the removal of the requirement to openly carry in a motor vehicle. Despite the sheer panic being promoted by some members of the media, even law enforcement groups did not fight against this provision, seeing it as a non-issue. But it is statewide preemption that is now garnering the most attention, and is the most important provision for those Ohioans oppressed by local gun control strongholds. As of this morning, all law-abiding Ohioans live under the same rules when it comes to owning or carrying firearms. No longer does a resident of Cleveland have different rights than a resident of Lorain. No longer is a gun that is perfectly legal to own in Dayton make a Columbus resident a felon. And a CHL holder walking his dog in a park does not have to worry if that park straddles two communities that he might be committing a crime by crossing the border. But, there are still rumblings that some Ohio cities might go to court to try to keep control of their fiefdoms. Statewide preemption (currently law in most states) went into effect today, invalidating most local gun ordinances. The individual right to keep and bear arms, being a fundamental individual right that predates the United States Constitution and Ohio Constitution, and being a constitutionally protected right in every part of Ohio, the general assembly finds the need to provide uniform laws throughout the state regulating the ownership, possession, purchase, other acquisition, transport, storage, carrying, sale, or other transfer of firearms, their components, and their ammunition. Except as specifically provided by the United States Constitution, Ohio Constitution, state law, or federal law, a person, without further license, permission, restriction, delay, or process, may own, possess, purchase, sell, transfer, transport, store, or keep any firearm, part of a firearm, its components, and its ammunition. It would seem to make sense that everyone plays by the same rules, but some cities think their citizens aren't as trustworthy as their neighboring communities. Several newspapers in Ohio are reporting that Cleveland intends to file a lawsuit against preemption, and Toledo is claiming to be ready to support it. Of course, they do so at their own peril, as another provision of HB347 is that any municipality that attempts to legislate away your rights is responsible for all court costs when they lose. Ohioans For Concealed Carry will be closely monitoring the situation and stands ready to defend the rights of gun owners across the state and ensure we all get equal protection under the law. |