Major bill overhaul would expand Ohio access to guns
COLUMBUS – A major overhaul to Ohio gun laws would allow concealed guns in more places, 18-year-olds to buy firearms and people to “stand their ground” when firing in self-defense.
Dozens of changes could be added to House Bill 248 as soon as Wednesday. A 33-page analysis of those amendments, obtained by The Enquirer, reveals dozens of ways lawmakers hope to expand access to guns in Ohio.
“The combination of all of these things is really frightening because it's almost an obsession with the access to guns,” said Toby Hoover, founder of the Ohio Coalition Against Gun Violence.
The proposals stand in stark contrast to Republican Gov. Mike Dewine's pleas to address gun violence. Dewine has repeatedly asked lawmakers to increase penalties for people who provide guns to others prohibited from having them.
Instead, changes to House Bill 248 would make it more difficult to prosecute someone who sells, lends or gives a firearm to someone who is intoxicated or banned from having a gun. The seller would have to “knowingly” provide the gun rather than “recklessly,” the requirement under current law.
Another hotly contested concept – stand your ground – makes an appearance in proposed changes. With an amendment, the bill would eliminate a duty to retreat before firing in self-defense while at a business.
Current law only allows Ohioans to “stand their ground” at their residences or vehicles. GOP lawmakers, in another bill, recently proposed eliminating a duty to retreat before firing during a riot.
The amendments would allow concealed guns in more places, including colleges and universities, places of worship and state property. Other locations that currently ban concealed guns,
such as police stations and airport terminals, could allow them if the governing bodies of those locations approve the change.
If the amendments become law, business owners who post signs banning guns on their property could be sued for anyone injured or killed there.
Another change would allow Ohioans with guns to drink in bars again. The proposed changes would only ban someone from having a gun in a bar if the person was under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
If approved, House Bill 248 would balloon from its original purpose: allowing people banned from having guns to possess antique firearms. Buckeye Firearms Association supported the initial bill but could not be reached for comment on the proposed amendments.
Other changes include:
h Reduce the minimum age to obtain a concealed weapons license from 21 years old to 18 years old. Those with a license could purchase guns at 18 years old.
h Eliminate the requirement that concealed weapons licensees carry their license with them. Any valid identification could be used instead.
h Eliminate a requirement that concealed handgun license holders “promptly” inform police that they have a gun. Licensees would still need to inform police if they have a gun in the vehicle.
h Prohibit schools and universities from penalizing employees or students who carry a concealed weapon legally.
h Specify that state and federal lawmakers can regulate guns – not city and other local officials.
h Require police to auction unclaimed or forfeited firearms rather than destroy them.
h Would allow the manufacture, sale and possession of brass knuckles, cestus, billy, blackjack, sandbag, switchblade knife, springblade knife, gravity knife or similar weapon.
The bill has a hearing in House Federalism Committee Wednesday, which is chaired by Rep. John Becker, R-union Township in Clermont County. Becker described the proposed legislation as a “Christmas tree bill” for public safety.
“There’s actually quite a few ornaments hanging on this tree,” said Becker, who hopes to pass the bill out of committee after Thanksgiving.
Hoover said this overhaul of Ohio gun laws should be subject to public’s scrutiny. But she’s come to expect quickly passed proposals in the final months of the legislative session from Ohio’s Gop-controlled Legislature.
“This one is everything they wanted for Christmas, I guess,” she said.