Two Pro-Gun Bills Move Forward in Ohio!

Please Contact Your State Representative Today!

Yesterday, Thursday, May 27, the Ohio Senate passed Senate Bill 239 and Senate Bill 247, both by a vote of 23-10.  These bills now head to the House where they await a committee assignment.

SB239, sponsored by State Senators Shannon Jones (R-7) and Tim Shaffer (R-31), would eliminate the current confusing standards of carrying a firearm in a motor vehicle.  In addition, the proposal would also allow permit holders to carry a firearm for self-defense in a restaurant that serves alcohol, provided they are not consuming, thus eliminating another “victim zone” in Ohio.

As reported earlier, Ohio has overly burdensome stipulations regarding how a concealed firearm must be carried in a motor vehicle.  Current law specifies that a firearm must be either be:

1.) In a holster secured on the person.

2.) In a closed case, bag, box, or other container that is in plain sight and that has a lid, a cover, or a closing mechanism with a zipper, snap, or buckle, which must be opened for a person to gain access to the handgun.

3.) The loaded handgun is securely encased by being stored in a closed glove compartment or center console, or in a case that is locked. A locked case does not need to be in plain sight (an unlocked case does).