Law Goes Into Effect In 90 Days

January 8, 2004

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Governor Taft has signed the bill that will allow Ohioans to carry concealed weapons.

The Senate approved the amended bill 25-8 and the House vote was 69-24 Wednesday.

The bill marks the first time the Legislature and the governor's office have agreed to a deal after a decade of debate on the highly charged issue.

Ohioans who apply for permits to carry concealed weapons would have to pay a fee, undergo background checks and be trained in the use of a weapon.

The bill also makes the names of permit-holders in each county available to reporters who ask a sheriff's department for the names.

Taft's insistence on this provision derailed the bill late last year.

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CCRKBA Applauds Ohio Lawmakers for Passing CCW Law

BELLEVUE, Wash., Jan. 7 /U.S. Newswire/ -- The Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms (CCRKBA) today congratulated the Ohio Legislature for overcoming considerable obstacles in finally reaching accord, and passing, a bill that will allow Ohio citizens to carry concealed firearms for their personal protection.

CCRKBA Chairman Alan M. Gottlieb called upon Gov. Bob Taft to keep his word and quickly sign the measure.

"Gov. Taft campaigned with a promise to sign CCW legislation," Gottlieb recalled. "Then he reneged on that promise, making it conditional on law enforcement support. When that support finally came, he found another reason to hedge by demanding that newspapers have access to records that will identify permit holders. Lawmakers have hammered out an agreement on that issue, and now it's time for Taft to keep his word."

"House Speaker Larry Householder certainly deserves credit for the breakthrough," Gottlieb continued, "as does Conference Committee Chair Jim Aslanides. Ohioans for Concealed Carry also earn accolades for keeping the grassroots pressure on Buckeye State lawmakers. The Citizens Committee has been both proud and delighted to support their efforts."

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Concealed handgun bill on way to Governor's desk

January 8. 2004
Gongwer News Service

COLUMBUS -- A bill allowing Ohioans to carry concealed handguns is heading to Governor Bob Taft's desk following the General Assembly's approval of a compromise allowing greater media access to names of permit holders.

The decade-long debate apparently having run its course, the measure (HB12) cleared both chambers with only one opposition speech delivered by Rep. Lance Mason (D-Shaker Heights), who was also the lone vote in opposition on the six-member conference committee that met earlier in the day. The Democrat said he was philosophically opposed to the concealed-carry concept and was especially concerned with a provision regarding the transport of handguns in vehicles.

The bill cleared the House 69-24 and the Senate 25-8 with no debate. Mr. Taft said he would sign it given the House had acquiesced to his demands, including a broader provision for media access to permit lists.

"While I would have preferred that the public have full access to the information, I believe that this is a reasonable compromise that will hold the permit system accountable for compliance with the law," Governor Taft said in a prepared statement. The bill, he added, "balances the Second Amendment rights I have strongly supported with public safety and public records concerns. I look forward to signing it."