Ohio Right To Carry!

The Ohio Supreme Court recently ruled that Ohioans do not have a Constitutional right to carry a firearm concealed for personal protection. This court decision makes it even more critical that the Ohio General Assembly pass the Ohio Right to Carry bill. Your legislators need to hear from you!

This summer, the Ohio General Assembly adjourned without passing an agreed-upon version of House Bill 12, sponsored by Representative Jim Aslanides (R-94). The members of the Ohio House of Representatives were victorious in passing HB 12 which would allow law-abiding citizens, who have satisfied a criminal background check and taken a training course, to obtain a permit to carry a handgun concealed for personal protection. The Senate, however, passed a different version of HB 12, which included a provision requiring all permit holders who are traveling in a car with passengers under the age of eighteen to secure their handguns in a locked box, making them unaccessible and unable to be used for self defense. This provision, approved by the members of the Senate, is unacceptable and contradicts the underlying principles of a Right to Carry law. This Senate provision, in fact, could put law-abiding Concealed Carry permit holders in great danger by creating an unnecessary victim zone.

Due to the fact that the House and Senate approved different versions of HB 12, the bill will head to a Conference Committee to be considered as early as next week. However, a number of Senators are reluctant in forming a Conference Committee. Unless the Committee is formed, HB 12 will not be considered, and the bill will die.

The members of the Ohio Legislature need to hear from you today! For the first time in ten years, Right to Carry is on the brink of being a reality in Ohio. This is your chance to express your concerns to the members of the Legislature. Please contact your State Senator, Representative, and Governor Bob Taft (R) and urge their support for the formation of a Conference Committee to consider HB 12. Please be sure to express your opposition to the provision requiring handguns to be in a locked box in an automobile when individuals under 18 are present. Please be sure to urge your elected officials and Governor Taft to support the law-abiding gun owners of the State of Ohio.

Please make the call today. The safety of your family and yourself is at stake.