COLUMBUS --- Franklin County Probate Judge Lawrence Belskis has dismissed the first court challenge to Columbus' new assault weapon ban.

The case, filed by Franklin County probate lawyer and city council candidate Phil Harmon, challenged the ordinance on the narrow grounds that it would interfere with administration of estates in Franklin County.

"It was an interesting, innovative approach," said attorney Ken Hanson. Now Buckeye Firearms Association's Legislative Chair, Hanson is no stranger to court cases challenging local firearms ordinances. "Fortunately the case was narrow in scope, and the Judge's ruling was largely limited to jurisidctional issues. I expect the first serious challenges to be filed after people get a better feel for whether statewide preemption will pass in the near future or not."

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Many CCW and gun rights supporters have probably heard of recent legislation to be introduced by Rep. Jim Aslanides (R-Coshocton) that includes a preemption clause to prevent cities from enacting municipal gun laws which conflict with state law. Among other things, the bill would clarify that cities cannot ban guns from parks or other places not specified as off-limits by the state.

This picture offers visible proof that this piece of legislation is long over due.

The current CCW law is quite clear that only government buildings are off-limits to concealed carry and mentions nothing about government owned property. The land around this water tower in Pickerington Ohio is clearly not a building. Not only are the powers-that-be in this community breaking state law but they are also quite paranoid, it seems. A sign banning guns at a water tower next to a corn field?

Ohio's citizens should no longer be put in a place where they could unknowingly be breaking a multitude of local firearms laws on a drive across the state.

It is time to gather information and be ready to contact our representatives in support of this preemption legislation as soon as news of it's introduction breaks. We will be watching the issue and provide updates as soon as we have further information. Stay Tuned!