Guns stolen from cars in Findlay; Why does Ohio law force people to leave them there?

WTVG (Toledo ABC) reported recently that police in Findlay have noted a rash of thefts of firearms from vehicles.

From the article:

Hundreds of cars are broken into every year, but Findlay police say seven handguns have recently been stolen from six vehicles. At least three of those cars were left unlocked.

"Now we have to worry because there's more firearms out on the streets,” says Officer Brian Dill.

Officers and firearms experts say every gun owner should be following basic safety rules.

Findlay police aren't panicked. They say it's not an epidemic, but they noticed the disturbing trend and posted a warning of the department's Facebook page for drivers to lock vehicles each and every time they park.

One would think that it goes without saying, but apparently not. So I'll say it: When leaving valuables of any kind in your car, lock the doors.

That being said, there is a more important lesson here. The Findlay police Facebook post states the following:

“Feel free to properly transport your firearms from one place to another. Feel free to carry concealed if you are licensed and properly trained. But please don't leave your guns in your vehicles for extended periods of time. This is not the most secure place for your guns.” (emphasis added)

The best way to prevent unauthorized access to a concealed handgun licensee's firearm is to encourage the licensee to keep the gun with them. Unfortunately, Ohio law does exactly the opposite - encouraging licensees to leave their loaded guns behind when they enter universities, places of worship, school "safety" zones, child day-care centers, airport terminals, facilities for the care of mentally ill persons, buildings in which a courtroom is located and unsecured areas of law enforcement facilities, and even restaurants if they choose to have even one sip of an adult beverage. Mandating that licensees leave their firearms in their cars outside these places - and other businesses who chose to advertise that theirs is a 'no-guns' victim zone - is practically begging for criminals to steal guns out of cars (or, of course, to come inside and victimize the defenseless patrons inside). In fact, criminals who want to steal guns are likely to target such places, knowing that the likelihood of finding a car with a gun stored inside is much greater outside of a place where concealed carry is banned.

16 months ago, Rep. Ron Maag introduced House Bill 231, which would allow licensees to keep their concealed firearms on their person in more places and prevent these types of thefts from vehicles. The bill has been given a hearing only for sponsor testimony in the Ohio House, despite the fact that this chamber is dominated by legislators who support gun rights. It is entirely possible that, had they acted in a timely manner in the House and Senate, there would not be seven stolen guns on the streets of Findlay (and more in every other Ohio city), because the licensees would not have been forced to leave their loaded guns behind in their vehicles.

If the House and Senate do not act, Rep. Maag's bill will die at the end of December, along with the many other pro-gun bills that are pending. If you want to see the House and Senate act on this and other important bills, call your Representative and Senator and ask them when pro-gun legislation is going to move in Ohio. They want your vote in November. Tell them we want their votes too.

Chad D. Baus is the Buckeye Firearms Association Secretary, BFA PAC Vice Chairman, and an NRA-certified firearms instructor. He is the editor of BuckeyeFirearms.org, which received the Outdoor Writers of Ohio 2013 Supporting Member Award for Best Website.