Yesterday, 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.
Your NRA-ILA will continue to keep you updated when HB 203 is likely to be considered in the Ohio Senate.
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