Ohio House bill would let certain officials carry concealed firearms in government facilities

A new gun-related bill introduced in the Ohio House of Representatives would give certain state officials, judges, and magistrates permission to carry a concealed handgun in a government facility of the state or a political subdivision.

House Bill 460, introduced Sept. 17 by state Reps. Thad Claggett (R-Newark) and Bernard Willis (R-Springfield), would extend permission to members of the Ohio General Assembly, statewide elected officials, judges, and magistrates but not to the general public.

Judges already have the authority to decide who is permitted to be armed within their courtroom and courthouse, according to a policy statement issued by the Ohio Judicial Conference in 2017 and reaffirmed in 2024.

"A judge must maintain decisional independence and be able, without concern for personal safety or the safety of others in the courthouse, to make the decisions he or she is constitutionally required to make," the statement reads. "The judiciary, therefore, has complete authority over the courtroom and courthouse, and as such, the authority to establish all security measures, including who is armed and who is not armed within the courtroom and courthouse."

Similar, more inclusive bill still in committee

A somewhat similar bill that would apply to the general public has been stalled in the Public Safety Committee since June 17.

House Bill 68 would allow concealed carry in government buildings with courtrooms when court is not in session and with approval of local authorities.

That bill is sponsored by Reps. Adam Mathews (R-Lebanon) and Justin Pizzulli (R-Scioto County).

Rob Sexton, Buckeye Firearms Association's legislative affairs director, testified in support of HB 68 during the committee's second hearing May 20.

BFA executive director Dean Rieck said he would prefer that all lawful gun owners be permitted to carry in government buildings, including those with courtrooms when court is not in session, but said HB 460 is still worthy of support.

Status on other gun bills BFA supports

Several pro-gun bills have been introduced this session, with some making progress. Here's a rundown of where they stand:

HB 5 - RESTORE RIGHTS OF NON-VIOLENT OFFENDERS (Sponsors: Josh Williams, Bernard Willis) To crack down on repeat felons and restore rights for non-violent offenders who have paid their debt to society and have lived a productive life. The House passed the bill, which has had six hearings in the House Judiciary Committee, the last one held May 21. BFA's Sexton testified in support for the second time during the committee's second hearing May 14.

HB 108 - ENACT THE SELF-DEFENSE PROTECTION ACT (Sponsor: Josh Williams) To create a pretrial procedure for a person asserting self-defense, defense of another, or defense of that person's property. The bill has had three hearings in the House Judiciary Committee, the last one held June 7. BFA's Sexton testified in support of the bill during the committee's second hearing June 4.

HB 120 - EXEMPT FIREARM SAFETY DEVICES FROM SALES TAX (Sponsors: Darnell Brewer, Jennifer Gross) To exempt from sales and use tax sales of firearm safety devices. One hearing was held May 14 in the House Ways and Means Committee.

HB 235 - AUTHORIZE A TAX CREDIT FOR HANDGUN TRAINING AND FIREARMS STORAGE (Sponsors: Meredith Lawson, Darnell Brewer) To authorize a nonrefundable income tax credit for the cost of handgun training and firearms storage and locking devices. Status: Referred to the House Ways and Means Committee on April 30 but has not budged since then.

HB 330 - AUTHORIZE A SALES TAX HOLIDAY FOR FIREARM SAFETY, STORAGE DEVICES (Sponsors: Kellie Deeter, Tex Fischer) To authorize a sales tax holiday for four months each year for the sale of firearm safety and storage devices. Status: Referred to the House Ways and Means Committee on June 11, with no further action.

HB 331 - REMOVE FIREARM SUPPRESSORS FROM DANGEROUS ORDNANCE (Sponsors: Kellie Deeter, Tex Fischer) To remove firearm mufflers and suppressors from the classification of dangerous ordnance. This bill is in limbo for now due to federal legislation that has rendered it moot. Look here for background.

HB 382 - ENACT THE SECOND AMENDMENT PROTECTION ACT (Sponsor: Tex Fischer) To enact the Second Amendment Protection Act to safeguard the right to keep and bear arms. Status: Referred to the House Public Safety Committee on Sept. 15.

SB 59 - EXEMPT FIREARMS AND AMMUNITION FROM SALES TAX (Sponsors: Al Cutrona, Tim Schaffer) To exempt from the sales and use tax the sale of certain firearms and ammunition and to authorize refundable tax credits for small arms and ammunition manufacturing projects. Status: One hearing held Feb. 11 in the Senate Ways and Means Committee.

SB 96 - AUTHORIZE A TAX CREDIT FOR HANDGUN TRAINING AND FIREARMS STORAGE (Sponsors: Hearcel Craig, Willis Blackshear) To authorize a nonrefundable income tax credit for the cost of handgun training and firearms storage and locking devices. Status: One hearing held Feb. 25 in the Senate Ways and Means Committee.

SB 214 - REMOVE FIREARM SUPPRESSORS FROM DANGEROUS ORDNANCE (Sponsor: Kyle Koehler) To remove firearm mufflers and suppressors from the classification of dangerous ordnance. As with HB 331, this bill is in limbo due to federal legislation that has rendered it moot.

To see where BFA stands on all gun-related bills, including those we oppose, visit our Legislation page.

Joe D. "Buck" Ruth, a pen name for Scott Hummel, is a longtime small-game hunter and gun owner who spent nearly three decades in the news industry. He is the website and social-media manager for Buckeye Firearms Association.