Ohio law currently prohibits concealed carry permit owners from carrying their weapons into public or private spaces that are clearly designated with signs saying guns are not allowed on the premises. But a new bill under consideration at the 爆料吃瓜 would change that.
Republican State Rep. John Becker says gun-free zones are often confusing for concealed carry permit holders. That鈥檚 why he says his bill is needed.
鈥淚t simply says for those people who have a concealed carry permit - which we know are the cream of the crop of the citizenry because they鈥檝e had the background checks as well as training and gun safety and marksmanship - for people with those permits, if they were to inadvertently go into one of these gun-free zones, they could not be charged with a crime unless they refuse to leave.鈥�
Becker鈥檚 bill would apply to public places, like the 爆料吃瓜 for example, and private spaces, like a hardware store, restaurant or bar. When asked whether he thinks this would be a way of allowing concealed permit holders to avoid the wishes of property owners, Becker says鈥︹��
鈥淚s that going to encourage people to violate those gun free zones intentionally? Perhaps. And frankly, I鈥檓 ok with that. And the reason is the people in those gun free zones are people with concealed carry permits and again, they are the cream of the crop of the citizenry. And it makes for a safer environment. We certainly see on a regular basis, and increasing basis, bad guys with guns going into these gun-free zones and there鈥檚 nobody there to stop them.鈥�
And that leads to another part of Becker鈥檚 bill. It would remove immunity for business owners who don鈥檛 allow concealed carry if a shooting were to happen on their premises.
鈥淲e think this bill is just plain bizarre.鈥�
That鈥檚 Jennifer Thorne, the Executive Director of the Ohio Coalition against Gun Violence. Her group opposes the bill.
鈥淪uddenly, it鈥檚 a business owner鈥檚 fault if someone decides to target his or her business? I mean, when did it become ok to blame victims of crime?鈥�
Thorne says this bill tramples on the rights of business owners.
鈥淭o us this really seems like an attempt to bully business owners who want to support a culture of peace instead of fear by not allowing guns on their premises. And what we are looking at under this bill is something that would blame victims of crime.鈥�
Becker鈥檚 bill will also be opposed by some of his fellow lawmakers, such as Democratic Rep. Greta Johnson.
鈥淭his is just sort of a half-baked solution looking for a problem. It doesn鈥檛 address any gun issues that Ohio is currently facing and it鈥檚 going to do nothing but create confusion amongst lawful concealed carry permit holders, business owners and law enforcement.鈥�
Johnson says she more than willing to sit down with Becker to talk about some problems that might exist with Ohio鈥檚 current concealed carry law. Becker says he expects some of his Republican colleagues will support his plan. The bill has been introduced but hasn鈥檛 had hearings. Lawmakers are not expected back until after the November election. And when they return, they are going to be holding some long debates during the lame duck session. And since the Republican dominated legislature has been interested in expanding the rights of gun owners, this bill could be on the agenda.
