By Jim Irvine

What changes will SB184 make to Ohio law? How do they apply to the average hunter, target shooter, and concealed carry license holder?

The Act does not go into effect for three months after it is signed into law (the Governor's office has the signing scheduled for Tuesday, June 10th), but we have received many requests for a list of what this bill does. To that end, here is a summary of the changes in SB184.

For all law-abiding citizens (Not just gun owners)

• Castle Doctrine: If someone breaks into your occupied home or temporary habitation, or your occupied car, you have an initial presumption that you may act in self defense. The prosecutors may overcome this presumption if illegal activity was happening or other extenuating circumstances, such as a husband and wife domestic violence situation.
• Civil Immunity: Crime victims will be immune from civil actions from their attackers and their families for actions that cause a criminal to be harmed or killed.

PROBLEM SOLVED: Previously, it was up to YOU, AT YOUR EXPENSE AND UNDER THREAT OF IMPRISONMENT, (and sometimes while actually imprisoned) to prove you were acting in self-defense. Now, when the Act becomes law, and as long as there are not any extenuating circumstances, the case ENDS and the healing begins. No hauling off to jail. No worries about criminal trial and the whims of a jury. No civil suit from the bad guy’s family.

• Duty to Retreat: A person who is lawfully in their residence or vehicle has no "duty to retreat" before using force in self-defense or defense of another.

PROBLEM SOLVED: Previously in a motor vehicle, the actor, not the prosecutor, at the actor’s own jeopardy and expense, had the burden of proof to establish that they COULD NOT run away.

For all gun owners:

• Definition of a "loaded" gun.

SB184 will eliminate all the vague "ready at hand" language that has been bastardized in our courts and provide a simple way you can be sure you can legally transport your firearm. Simply put, the gun must be unloaded. An unloaded gun has no bullet in the chamber or cylinder. You may not have any loaded speed loaders or magazines for the gun in question anywhere in the motor vehicle. There are no longer any rules about where the gun or the ammo must be, or their relation to each other.

PROBLEM SOLVED: Court rules there is no legal transportation of an unloaded handgun in Ohio!!

• Section 2923.16 will be the only section controlling firearms transported in cars. Restrictions in other sections will apply outside of vehicles.

PROBLEM SOLVED: Woman convicted for having an unloaded handgun in a case in her own car!!

• Carrying concealed weapons in one's own home will not require a concealed handgun license (CHL).

PROBLEM SOLVED: Man convicted for having a concealed handgun in his own home!!

• If a gun is seized and later ordered to be returned to the owner, and the police refuse to return the property and legal action is successful in getting property returned, it is mandatory that legal fees be reimbursed.

PROBLEM SOLVED: Damon Wells wants his gun - and his life - back and CHL-holder "wins case" against Toledo police, gets his gun back and Judge Junkin reverses; returns illegally confiscated gun to CHL-holder

Concealed Handgun License (CHL) changes:

• A CHL holder will be permitted to carry in a government owned building that is not a government facility where business is generally conducted. A CHL will be able to posses firearms in government owned parking garages, rest areas, and shelters. Carry in a BMV is prohibited.

PROBLEM SOLVED: State-mandated victim zones: College student gang-raped and ODOT's "no-guns" signs in PARKING LOT at rest stop where rape occurred and Woman Reports Rape At I-77 Rest Stop

• The criminal penalty for a CHL carrying in a "no guns" parking lot is eliminated. The property owner retains a cause for an action for civil trespass.

PROBLEM ADDRESSED: Police: Woman Raped In Downtown Parking Garage and Defenseless Toledo "mall employee raped twice in 4-hour ordeal" and Thief cuts man, 79, during assault in hospital garage

• A CHL holder will be permitted to pick-up/ drop-off a child in a the designated area of a school safety zone.

PROBLEM SOLVED: Ohio License Holders Helplessly Confused by Contradictory School Safety Zone Statute!!

• A CHL holder will be permitted to carry in retail facilities that sell alcohol for consumption off premises. (Giant Eagle, Wal-Mart, carry-out) as long as the license holder is not consuming alcohol and is not under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

PROBLEM SOLVED: Ohio License Holders Helplessly Confused by Liquor Premises Statute!! Even Division of Liquor Control Declines to Express Opinion!

• The holder of a liquor permit for consumption on premises who has a CHL will be permitted to carry in his/her own establishment, and will be permitted to hire police to provide security, including inside the liquor establishment.

PROBLEM SOLVED: Disarmed CHL-holder & security watched helplessly as people died

• Sealed and expunged records will no longer be disqualifying offenses and will not preclude persons from obtaining an Ohio CHL.

PROBLEM SOLVED: Zanesville man denied CHL over beer theft as teenager

• If a person fails to notify a police officer that they are armed during an official stop, and the license holder can prove that the officer had information that he was a CHL, the penalty will be reduced. NOTE: It is still required to notify police that you are armed and this change does NOT change or reduce your obligation to inform law enforcement when you are armed.

PROBLEM ADDRESSED: Failure to Inform: CHL-holders taking a big risk on Ohio roadways

• A CHL holder will be permitted to have a loaded handgun in an unlocked glove compartment and a center console in an automobile.
• A landlord may not evict a tenant for owning a lawful firearm or possessing a concealed carry license.
• The requirement for a written test during the re-qualification process is eliminated. A practical test is still required.

We will do a more detailed analysis on parts of the bill and illustrate how Buckeye Firearms Association with your support worked to educate the legislature about problems and provide workable solutions that have been enacted. As important as this bill is, we want you to understand the process too. Our laws are still not perfect, and the better Ohio gun owners understand the process, the quicker we can address problems in the future.

Thanks for being a part of our team.

• DOWNLOAD THE ACT
• SB184 Analysis: Significant practical improvements for ALL Ohioans
• What SB184 means to you: Part I – Castle Doctrine
• What SB184 means to you: Part II – Seizure and Return of Firearm
• What SB184 means to you: Part III – Official Stops
• What SB184 means to you: Part IV – Transportation of Unloaded Firearms
• What SB184 means to you: Part V – School Safety Zones
• What SB184 means to you: Part VI - Government building victim zones
• What SB184 means to you: Part VII – “Class D” victim zones
• What SB184 means to you: Part VIII – Sealed and expunged records

Hanson's "The Ohio Guide to Firearms Laws” updated to reflect SB184 changes