Ohioans For Concealed Carry was quoted in the article:

Some gun-rights advocates prefer to let the bill die and take their chances in the Legislature next year. If the bill does not become law by the end of the current session at the end of the month, proponents would have to start over.

"The Senate has done all in their power to make this legislation useless," said Jeff Garvas, president of Ohioans for Concealed Carry.

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Concealed-carry issue not going away quietly

By JOHN McCARTHY
The Associated Press
12/9/02 5:10 PM

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) -- A bill to allow Ohioans to carry hidden guns won't pass this year, as far as the House is concerned, but the legislation is proceeding in the Senate, where a vote could take place this week, majority Republicans said Monday.

Work continued Monday to recruit supporters, said Sen. Jeff Jacobson, a suburban Dayton Republican who's chairman of the Senate Civil Justice Committee. An amended version of the bill was expected to be introduced Tuesday, he said.

"It would be unfortunate to assume anything as to what the contents are, because the contents to this point have not been decided," Jacobson said.

However, talks appeared headed toward getting the State Highway Patrol to drop its opposition to the bill -- key in getting Gov. Bob Taft's support.

The patrol's primary concern is whether people would be allowed to carry loaded, concealed weapons within reach in their cars, spokesman Lt. Gary Lewis said.

He said the patrol was hoping the bill would be amended to include language similar to current law, which prohibits having a loaded weapon within reach of a driver or passengers. Unloaded weapons may be carried in cars, but the weapon must be in plain sight.

"Once it's drafted, then we will take a look at it," Lewis said.

The bill would require sheriffs to issue permits to Ohioans who pass a criminal background check, including fingerprinting, and successfully complete 12 hours of firearms training.

The House in March passed a version without the fingerprinting and with less restrictive training requirements.

Speaker Larry Householder, a Glenford Republican, on Friday adjourned the House for the year, saying he would not call representatives back even if the Senate made its version less restrictive, because there was little support for the Senate bill among majority Republicans.

Senate President Richard Finan, a suburban Cincinnati Republican, on Monday played down differences in the two versions of the bill.

"We'll pass it in all likelihood, and the speaker could do what he wants," Finan said. "I don't think there's that much difference in the bill as it left the House."

Householder did not return a telephone call seeking comment.

Some gun-rights advocates prefer to let the bill die and take their chances in the Legislature next year. If the bill does not become law by the end of the current session at the end of the month, proponents would have to start over.

"The Senate has done all in their power to make this legislation useless," said Jeff Garvas, president of Ohioans for Concealed Carry.

The issue also is before the Ohio Supreme Court. In April, the 1st Ohio District Court of Appeals upheld a lower court ruling that the law banning hidden guns is unconstitutional because it restricts the right to self-defense. The Supreme Court is allowing the current ban to remain while it considers the case.

Taft, whose signature would be needed for the bill to become law, has said he won't support a bill opposed by law enforcement groups, including the patrol. Taft spokeswoman Mary Anne Sharkey said the governor had achieved one of his goals by promoting negotiations among the parties.

"What the governor has succeeded in doing is to get the patrol and the FOP (Fraternal Order of Police) to the table," Sharkey said.

Taft won't take a position until he sees the bill's language, she said. The FOP, Ohio's largest police union, dropped its long-standing opposition to the bill this month.

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On the Net:

Fraternal Order of Police: http://www.fopohio.org/

Ohioans for Concealed Carry: http://www.ofcc.net/

State Highway Patrol: http://www.state.oh.us/ohiostatepatrol/