Ohio: 2014 General Assembly Session Reconvened This Week

On Tuesday, the Ohio General Assembly reconvened its 2013-2014 legislative session.

As previously reported, the Ohio House of Representatives passed House Bill 203 by a 62-27 vote.  Sponsored by state Representative Terry Johnson (R-90), HB 203 seeks to make important, common sense improvements to Ohio’s current concealed carry and self-defense laws including the following:

• Strengthens the existing criminal background check process to obtain an Ohio Concealed Handgun License (CHL) by requiring all CHL applicants to undergo a National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) compliant background check.  This improvement is the first step in allowing Ohio CHL holders to qualify for a NICS exemption when purchasing a firearm.
• Establishes an automatic reciprocity process for CHL holders.
• Allows purchase and sale of shotguns and rifles in non-contiguous states.
• Reduces the minimum training requirement to obtain a competency certificate required to apply for a CHL from twelve hours to four hours.
• Applies the same federal disqualifiers for the possession and purchase of a firearm to applicants for a CHL.
• Establishes a non-resident application process to obtain a CHL.
• Modifies the state's self-defense law.  Under current law, a person has no duty to retreat before using deadly force if that person is in their own home or automobile.  This legislation would expand that to any place a person has a lawful right to be.

With HB 203 now in the state Senate for consideration, it is important that you contact your state Senator now to express your support for this important Second Amendment legislation.  Your NRA-ILA will continue to keep you updated on this important pro-gun reform legislation as well as other measures that affect gun owners and sportsmen in this new year.