Stage set for Senate passage of 'permitless' concealed carry

Dec. 15—COLUMBUS — On Tuesday's nine-year anniversary of the Sandy Hook school shooting, an Ohio Senate committee set the stage for a full chamber vote on a bill that would allow Ohioans to carry concealed handguns without a permit and the training that goes with it.

The Senate Veterans and Public Safety Committee opened its hearing with a moment of silence in recognition of the anniversary of the shooting in Newtown, Conn. which claimed the lives of 26 people, including 20 children.

After hearing more than two hours of testimony, it went on, with Republican votes only, to approve Senate Bill 215. The full Senate plans to meet Wednesday before recessing for the holidays.

"It was very kind and respectful and very necessary that you took a moment of silence for the terrible tragedy that took place nine years ago today at Sandy Hook, but it's not enough," said opponent Mike Halaiko of New Lexington. "Proliferation of weapons makes terrible events like that more likely."

Ohio law allows anyone over the age of 21 who is not legally barred from possessing a firearm to openly carry one in public. But a permit issued by a county sheriff is required to carry it in a coat jacket, purse, or car glove compartment.

A permit application comes with a background check and a minimum of eight hours of firearm training.

"Senate Bill 215 protects the law-abiding over the baseless shrieking of those who irrationally restrict the defense of innocent life," said Chuck LaRosa of Ohioans for Concealed Carry. "In short, this bill empowers Ohioans to enhance public safety by enhancing their own security."

The measure is similar to House Bill 227, which passed that chamber in November and is also pending in the Senate. If the Senate passes its version, lawmakers will have to decide which to send to Gov. Mike DeWine, who has watched fellow Republicans in the legislature ignore his pleas for gun access reforms after the mass shooting two years ago in a downtown Dayton entertainment district.

Sponsored by Sen. Terry Johnson (R., McDermott), the bill would add Ohio to 21 other states allowing "constitutional carry" or "permitless carry" of concealed handguns.

The bill does not get rid of the concealed-carry permit but makes it optional for those who might want one to legally cross into other states that recognize Ohio's license.

There would be no consequences if a current permit-holder chooses to allow it to expire.

The bill also gets rid of the current requirement that someone carrying a concealed weapon "promptly" inform law enforcement during traffic stops of the presence of a legally carried handgun in the car. If asked by a law enforcement officer under the bill, the driver must respond honestly or face a second-degree misdemeanor carrying up to 90 days in jail and a $750 fine.

The carrying of a handgun could not be grounds for a police officer to conduct a search.

Before approving the bill, the committee removed controversial language that would have guaranteed a pretrial immunity hearing to someone who faces civil or criminal action after using a gun. The defendant could argue that he was acting in self-defense, defense of another, or defense of the person's residence.

Permitless carry has generally been supported by gun-rights groups such as the National Rifle Association and Buckeye Firearms Association but opposed by law enforcement organizations such as the Fraternal Order of Police and Buckeye State Sheriffs' Association.

Hamilton County Sheriff Charmaine McGuffey told the committee that someone who volunteers the fact that he's carrying concealed lets an officer know that this person has had at least eight hours of firearm training and undergone a criminal background check.

"With more individuals on the street with concealed guns who are not required to train, it's going to result in more intense police encounters...," she said. "And there will be lethal mistakes, certainly, that people will regret.

"...Each of you may never know the lives you save, but [if] you pass this bill, there is the great likelihood you'll come to know the lives you didn't save," she said.

Ohio legalized concealed-carry 17 years ago, but lawmakers have whittled away over the years since at restrictions on where they could be carried and the amount of training necessary. About 700,000 Ohioans hold concealed-carry licenses.

First Published December 14, 2021, 6:52pm