Hearings for 3 BFA-Supported Bills Scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday

The Ohio House Government Oversight Committee has announced hearings for three BFA-Supported bills on Tuesday, Feb. 8, 2022, at 10 a.m., Room 018 at the Ohio Statehouse.

The committee will hold a second hearing, for SB 215 proponent testimony, on Wednesday, Feb. 9, at 10:30 a.m. in the same room.

SB 215 - Constitutional Carry (Sponsor: Terry Johnson)
This bill would make licensing optional for carrying a concealed handgun in Ohio. In December, the bill passed the Senate and was introduced into the House. In January, it was assigned to committee.

Now it's up for its first two House hearings, with Senator Terry Johnson presenting sponsor testimony, and proponents invited to present support the next day. Assuming it passes the committee then the full House, it would then go to the Governor's desk.

• Buckeye Firearms Association Testifies in Favor of Constitutional Carry
• Ohio Senator Terry Johnson Presents Powerful Testimony on Constitutional Carry
• Senator Terry Johnson Takes us Inside the Fight for Constitutional Carry

HB 325 - Limit Government Power in Emergencies (Sponsor: Scott Wiggam)
Crafted by BFA, along with our partners NRA and NSSF, this is America's most comprehensive legislation to preserve Second Amendment and sportsman rights during declared emergencies.

This is the bill's fourth hearing in the House. The committee will hear both proponent and opponent testimony and possibly vote on the bill. If it passes, it would then head to the Senate.

• Buckeye Firearms Association Testifies in Favor of Bill to Limit Government Power During Emergencies
• Emergency Powers Legislation: Preventing Infringements of 2A Rights During Emergencies
• SPECIAL EDITION: News Conference Introducing Emergency Powers Legislation
• Emergency Powers Testimony and Victims of Katrina Gun Confiscation

HB 455 - Avoid Charges for Carrying in Prohibited Places (Sponsor: Reggie Stoltzfus)
This bill provides an opportunity to avoid charges for accidentally carrying a deadly weapon into a prohibited location. The committee heard sponsor testimony on Dec. 8 and will now hear proponent testimony. BFA will testify in support.

Buckeye Firearms Association has put significant effort into SB 215 and HB 325 as our two top-priority bills for this legislative session. We have been working on an almost daily basis with sponsors, legislators, and Statehouse leadership since early last year, and even before that as we laid the groundwork for the introduction of these bills.

While recent events have presented challenges, including the lengthy redistricting process, our goal continues to be passing our priority bills before the Ohio primary election.

Dean Rieck is Executive Director of Buckeye Firearms Association, a former competitive shooter, NRA Patron Member, #1 NRA Recruiter for 2013, business owner and partner with Second Call Defense.