Editorial: House approves concealed-carry law

The following editorial is from West Union Ohio's The People's Defender, April 05, 2006. Representative Danny Bubp (R) District 88 is a long time friend to gun owners and is a Buckeye Firearms Association endorsee. Not all politicians are the same and our friends need our support. If you can help Rep. Bubp with his campaign in any way please click here for more information.

Danny Bubp State Rep.

As many readers of this column know, I am a strong supporter of our Second Amendment right to bear arms. Last month, I reported in this column that our Criminal Justice Committee in the Ohio House of Representatives was working diligently to bring House Bill 347 to the floor for a vote. I am pleased to report that we have accomplished this goal and approved HB 347 by a vote of 76 to 19.

HB 347 is a culmination of bipartisan efforts over the last few months to address a number of problems raised by law enforcement and permit holders with the current law regarding licenses to carry a concealed handgun. After seeking input from all stakeholders including the NRA, Buckeye Firearms Association, Ohioans for Concealed Carry and law enforcement, HB 347 addresses most of the concerns raised thus improving the current law for all interested parties.

This measure will also establish statewide preemption to prohibit local governments from continuing to enact ordinances regulating the use of firearms. Over the past several years, local laws have ranged from attempts to regulate concealed-carry to outright firearm bans which undermine the fundamental American principle of equal protection under the law for all citizens. Without preemption, Ohio would continue to have a myriad of local firearm laws making compliance nearly impossible for law abiding gun owners, hunters, target shooters and firearm collectors who travel throughout the state.

A critical improvement in this bill removes the requirement that when a concealed carry licensee knowingly transports or has a loaded handgun in a motor vehicle, the loaded handgun either must be in plain sight or in a case that is in plain sight. This requirement virtually rendered the permit useless as plain sight was undefined and too difficult to comply with.

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Additionally, an amendment to House Bill 9 which we recently passed allows a permit holder to prevent his/her name from being given to journalists for publication. Both HB 347 and HB 9 are now in the Ohio Senate for review.

Our efforts to improve the Concealed Carry law of Ohio have been fully supported by many local organizations, hunters and those desirous of protecting their families. I want to thank the NRA, Buckeye Firearms Association and Ohioans for Concealed Carry for working with us closely to pass these improvements to the Concealed Carry Law. I am proud to represent these interests and to be your voice in Columbus.

I would encourage everyone to mark their calendars for Monday, April 17th, 2006 at 6:30 p.m. and attend a patriotic “Support Our Troops” rally in front of the Brown County Courthouse. Thanks are extended to the Brown County Commissioners for arranging this program and I’m hopeful that many will attend and demonstrate their support for our men and women who are serving in our military and who are responsible for the freedoms that we enjoy today.

– If you would like to contact me about this issue or any other state matter, I can be reached by calling (614) 644-6034, e-mail at [email protected] or write to me, State Representative Danny Bubp at 77 S. High St., 11th Floor, Columbus, OH 43215.