Ohio: "Concealed weapons bill takes back seat in Legislature" (sorry guys)

[cuchulainn]

http://www.newarkadvocate.com/news/stories/20030117/localnews/795687.html

from "The Advocate"

Concealed weapons bill takes back seat in Legislature
By ANDREW WELSH-HUGGINS
AP Statehouse Correspondent

COLUMBUS -- The state's legislative leaders have shot down the concealed carry bill, for now.

House Speaker Larry Householder and Senate President Doug White said on Thursday the bill allowing Ohioans to carry hidden guns isn't a priority this year.

Householder said lawmakers have too much else to worry about, starting with the state's budget deficit.

"As far as the future of the state of Ohio and how we move forward, I think that particular issue is one that takes a seat in the back," said Householder, a Glenford Republican. However, he said he expects a bill to be introduced and debated.

Senate President Doug White agreed, saying the issue didn't make the top five list of Senate Republicans, who hold a 22-11 majority.

The House and Senate passed concealed weapons bills last year but the legislation died before the differences between the versions were ironed out.

Gov. Bob Taft says he'll veto any bill while law enforcement remains opposed.

Lawmakers made changes in the bill designed to get the support of the State Highway Patrol, but a spokesman at the time said the patrol still could not support the measure.

Patrol Capt. John Born said the patrol wouldn't support a bill that gives motorists access to loaded guns. Current law allows unloaded guns in cars.

The bill debated during the two-year session that ended Dec. 31 would have required sheriffs to issue permits to Ohioans who pass criminal background checks, including fingerprinting, and successfully complete 12 hours of firearms training.

Jeff Garvas, president of Ohioans for Concealed Carry, said lawmakers' comments didn't surprise him. He agreed that the state has more pressing concerns now.

"We do believe they are going to give this the attention it needs and take care of it in due time," Garvas said.

Toby Hoover, director of the Ohio Coalition Against Gun Violence, which opposes such legislation, also said she didn't expect the issue to go away.

"It's a consistent thing that the gun lobby will continue to pursue," she said. "I think it will come back in one form or another."

Meanwhile, the state is appealing an April ruling by the 1st Ohio District Court of Appeals that the state's ban on concealed weapons violated the state Constitution's guarantee that people can arm themselves for self-defense.

Originally published Friday, January 17, 2003
Copyright ©2003 The Advocate

 

[geekWithA.45]

Your life, rights and freedom are not a priority.

Senate President Doug White agreed, saying the issue didn't make the top five list of Senate Republicans, who hold a 22-11 majority.

 

[KMKeller]

Geez, you folks can't win for losing.

 

[Beren]

This is great news, actually.

Why?

Once the Ohio Supreme Court hears the appealed case, they'll have no choice but to strike the existing laws down and turn Ohio into a Vermont-style state.

Yes, I am an optimist!

 

[foghornl]

Beren, I hope you are right about the Ohio Supreme Court. Right now, I still cannot begin to express how bitterly disappointed I am in the Ohio Spineless Senate and Gov Booby Daft. The House bill, while not Vermont Style, had some very good provisions. Then, bill went to the Senate, Gov Booby Daft and the FOP got involved, and it just went to .....ahhhh I can't use those words here. The FOP's essentially wanted to triple the training requirements, no loaded weapons in vehicles, fingerprinting at some rediculous cost, etc.

 

[QKRTHNU]

How long will it be til the OHSC hears this case though??

 

[Henry Bowman]

Depressing . . .

In Ohio we have Demo's and Rino's.

 

[Ebbtide]

How long will it be til the OHSC hears this case though??

That is what I want to know and can't find out.

 

[G-Raptor]

I think that the Ohio legislature has shot their own foot off, as I expected they would.

Unless the Ohio Supreme Court is completely bogus, they will rule that the laws against concealed carry are unconstitutional because the citizens have a right to KBA.

Now, AFTER that court rules that everyone has a right to carry is the legislature going to justify requiring a permit? This is exactly what happened in Vermont and it's the reason that no license is required there.

Both the Ohio appeals court and the SC gave the legislature a warning on this. They also gave them enough time to get a decent law passed. The legislature automatically assumed that the court would rule in favor of the status quo and sat on their hands. The court told them "don't count on it".

It becomes clearer everyday that in the few remaining states with CCW laws, the battle will be fought in court, not the legislature.