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From the Canton Repository
From the Canton Repository
Concealed weapons bill back, with court ruling pending
Wednesday, February 26, 2003
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — A bill that would allow Ohioans to carry concealed weapons is back before state lawmakers for a fifth straight legislative session, but this time there’s a more compelling reason to pass it, its sponsor says.
The bill is being debated while an Ohio Supreme Court ruling is pending on whether Ohio’s ban on hidden guns is constitutional.
The 1st Ohio District Court of Appeals ruled in April that the ban unconstitutionally hampered Ohioans’ right to defend themselves. This month, a judge in Seneca County issued a similar ruling. The Ohio Supreme Court has scheduled oral arguments in the case on April 15.
The bill’s sponsor, Rep. Jim Aslanides, a Coshocton Republican, said that unless lawmakers approve a version of his proposal, Ohio will have no restrictions on carrying concealed weapons if the court upholds the two rulings.
“That’s the reason we have to address this issue,†Aslanides told the House Criminal Justice Committee on Tuesday. “It’s our duty.â€
The bill is similar to a measure Aslanides proposed in the last legislative session. The House passed that bill but the Senate changed it. The House did not go along with the Senate changes, saying they were too restrictive. The bill has been around in some form since 1995.
The new bill contains several provisions of the Senate version. It would require written and physical safety training courses for people who apply for concealed weapons licenses. Permitholders also would be required to inform law enforcement officers if they were armed while being questioned by officers.
Under questioning by Rep. Tim Grendell, a Chesterland Republican, Aslanides said the bill requires 12 hours of training.
“That’s six more hours than I got in the Army when they let me carry an M-16,†Grendell said.
Gun-control groups argue public safety is threatened by allowing concealed weapons. But Aslanides noted that five states bordering Ohio have conceal-carry laws “and no reports of widespread violence.â€
“I feel very strongly about this,†Aslanides said. “Everyone has the right to defend themselves whether they are 21 or 91.â€
The new bill has the support of the National Rifle Association and the Buckeye State Sheriffs Association, but is opposed by the Ohio Association of Chiefs of Police and the State Highway Patrol.
Gov Bob Taft has said he will not support the bill as long as those two groups remain opposed to it.
Copyright ©2003 The Repository
Maybe one in the same?