Gongwer News Service --- Senate President Doug White told Gongwer Thursday he hopes the House and Governor Bob Taft can reach agreement on a stalled measure that would allow licensed Ohioans to carry concealed weapons "because I want a bill."

The legislation (HB 12) was left pending when the General Assembly recessed in June for the summer. Negotiations collapsed when the House and Mr. Taft's office could not reach agreement on affirmative defense and other
provisions. (Actually, negotiations stalled when Sen. White refused to appoint conferees to a committee, as proper legislative procedure requires.)

Senator White (R-Manchester) said his constituents have voiced support for the Senate version of the measure. "The district where I come from, some of the events I go to - dirt track racing - it's amazing that once people understand the bill that left the Senate does allow for concealed carry of loaded weapons, does allow a loaded weapon in the car, although in sight, (they) say 'that sounds good to me,'" he said.

Senator White said he hoped the dispute over affirmative defense could be resolved between the governor's office and the House one way or another. "I can go either way, but the resolution has to come from the House and the governor's office...I want a bill. I think the Senate passed a bill that can become law," he said.

OFCC PAC Commentary:
What about this man has changed since he informed Ohioans that he "won't look to Taft for guidance on gun bill"?

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COLUMBUS -- Sen. Steve Austria still thinks a compromise on Ohio's concealed handgun bill is out there waiting to be discovered.

As the Legislature takes time off this summer, the Beavercreek Republican has sent bill revisions to the Ohio House and governor's office in hopes of breaking the stalemate that has put the bill's fate in jeopardy.

"I'm still optimistic we might be able to do something in this general assembly," Austria said.

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