This week, the state’s highest court will hear arguments on one of the most controversial issues facing Ohio’s lawmakers.

Tuesday, the Ohio Supreme Court will hear arguments in a lawsuit over the state’s law banning concealed carry. The Second Amendment Foundation and Cincinnati residents question the constitutionality of state law that makes it illegal to conceal a gun, unless it’s used for self-defense.

Ohio is currently one of six states that does not allow residents to carry hidden weapons.

Bill Gustavson, a Cincinnati attorney, says if justices declare the law unconstitutional, it is likely Ohioans could begin to conceal weapons without having to get a license for that purpose. Gustavson says any law-abiding citizen could carry a concealed firearm.

Two state courts have ruled Ohio’s law unconstitutional.

Concealed carry backers say Ohio’s current law is flawed because it does not provide equal protection for ordinary citizens. Additionally, they claim legislation in the Statehouse is equally flawed.

“Every bill considered has inexplicably retained the very language that deems a citizen guilty until proven innocent," Jeff Garvas, president of Ohioans For Concealed Carry says. “[The legislation] should be amended by the Senate to place the burden of proof where it belongs, on the arresting officer and the prosecution."

OFCC PAC Commentary:
On Monday, Ohioans For Concealed Carry issued a press release about the hearing. The release may be viewed by clicking on the "Read More..." link below, along with links to many of the media stories published in advance of the hearing.

The Associated Press
4/14/03 12:55 AM

CHARDON, Ohio (AP) -- State Rep. Tim Grendell has decided against seeking
election to a third two-year term, and instead plans to run for a pending
Geauga County Common Pleas Court judgeship vacancy.

With the announcement, the 49-year-old Republican abandoned his oft-stated
goal of succeeding Larry Householder as House speaker.

Grendell, an OFCC PAC 2002 endorsee, said gaining the leadership position seemed unlikely. "If the
price of being speaker is selling my soul and my principles, that's not a
price I'm willing to pay," he said.

Grendell's district includes Geauga County and several Cleveland suburbs in
eastern Cuyahoga County.

His wife, Diane, served four terms in the House before being pushed out by
term limits. She now serves on the 11th Ohio District Court of Appeals
covering Ashtabula, Geauga, Lake, Portage and Trumbull counties.