Ohio: Pro-Gun Reform Legislation Clears Judiciary Committee and Goes to Senate Floor

This morning, House Bill 495 passed in the Ohio Senate Judiciary Committee and now goes to the Senate floor where it could be scheduled for a vote as early as TODAY.

It is critical that you call and e-mail your state Senator IMMEDIATELY and urge him or her to support HB 495.  For contact information or help identifying your state Senator, please click here.

Time is running out before the Ohio General Assembly adjourns for this year!  Once the Ohio Senate passes HB 495, Senate amendments to this measure still need to be approved by the Ohio House before being sent to the Governor for his signature.   Therefore, please also contact your state Representative and urge him or her to support HB 495.  For contact information or help identifying your state Representative, please click here.

This essential pro-gun reform legislation was introduced on March 27 by state Representative Terry Johnson (R-89) and, if enacted, would address several problems with current Ohio gun laws.  HB 495 passed in the state House of Representatives by a 59 to 28 vote on June 13, and needs to be approved by the state Senate before being sent to the Governor for his signature.  Attorney General Mike DeWine expressed his support for HB 495 in a letter to the Senate Judiciary Committee at its hearing last week.  Specifically, HB 495 would make the following changes:

•       Establish automatic reciprocity between Ohio and other states that have automatic reciprocity for their concealed handgun licenses.  Currently, the Attorney General must enter into a written agreement with another state to establish concealed carry reciprocity.  HB 495 would still allow for written agreements between the states if the other state does not have automatic reciprocity, but it eliminates the requirement for a written agreement if reciprocity can occur automatically by operation of law.

•       Eliminate the renewed competency certification requirement for concealed carry license renewals.  Currently, after the first renewal of your concealed handgun license, you must submit proof of renewed competency to show that you are range competent for all subsequent renewals.  HB 495 would make it so that you can simply show your existing or expiring license or your original competency certificate as proof that you have had the necessary training for all renewals.

•       Change the definition of a loaded firearm in a vehicle.  Currently, a firearm is considered loaded if a loaded magazine is present in the vehicle, even if the magazine is not inserted into the firearm.  HB 495 would change this definition so that the magazine must be inserted into the firearm before it is considered loaded.

•       Define “Concealed Handgun License” in one section of the Ohio Revised Code and clarify that this definition applies to all references of a concealed handgun license throughout the state code.  HB 495 would simplify state law and make it easier to read, understand, comply with and enforce.