Several gun rights bills receive hearings in Columbus

There were hearings held in the Statehouse on multiple bills of interest to gun owners on Wednesday, May 22.

The House Education Committee, chaired by Gerald Stebelton (R-Lancaster), heard testimony on HB 454, sponsored by Representative Anne Gonzales (R-Westerville).

Guns on school grounds have always been a contentious topic, and that has caused problems with all legislation on topic. Current law is a mess, making it a felony offense for those with a concealed handgun license (CHL) to partake in normal activities while in possession of their firearms. It is currently illegal for licensees to drop off their spouse, a child’s lunch or medicine, sign their child out of the nurse’s office, or even to get out and hug their little girl if she falls and scrapes her knee.

Rather than requiring that the license-holder remain in the vehicle, HB 454 would require that the firearm be remain in the vehicle. The bill also makes it clear that it is permissible to pick up or drop off any person or item, as opposed to just “a child.”

Testifying in support of HB 454 was the City of New Albany Law Director, Mitchell Banchefsky. He noted that current law has caused problems for parents and law enforcement, and their school. HB 454 will be correct errors and vagueness in the law which will be helpful to all involved. Kerri Laubenthal Mollard, a parent whose young children were impacted by reaction to benign events because of the defects in current law also testified in support of the bill. There has been no opposition to the bill.

In the Senate Civil Justice Committee, representatives Cheryl Grossman (R-Grove City) and John Becker (R-Union Township) gave sponsor testimony for HB 234. Their bill would make it legal for those who legally own suppressors and hunting licenses, to use them at the same time.

There were numerous questions raised on the safety of using suppressors. Grossman and Becker did a good job explaining that unlike they are depicted in the movies, suppressors do not "silence" firearms. Instead, the device reduces the sound to a less-damaging level, which is good for hunters and neighbors. It also allows for better communication between hunter and apprentice/child when helping new hunters afield. The committee was informed that this bill would not pose any new issues with poaching and that the Division of Wildlife did not oppose its passage. Chairman Bill Coley (R-Liberty Twp.) jokingly lamented that they had ruined many James Bond movies with the news that suppressors did not enable one to silently kill and escape.

The Senate Civil Justice Committee also heard testimony SB 338, sponsored by Senator Joe Uecker (R-Miami Township). Testifying in support of the bill were Louis and Patricia Williams, Gray Witt of OFCC, and Charles Reinhardt. All did a good job in supporting the bill and explaining their various reasons why this is good legislation.

Questions centered on training and whether a reduction from 12 to 8 hours would impact safety. Senator Michael Skindell (D-Lakewood) seemed to have the most concern about the range time and the ability to bypass the intent of the law by only firing "one round." Witt explained that without a specific round count, a poor instructor could do that under current law, so there really was no significant difference. Witt and Williams also pointed out that the amount of training someone needed to be “safe” was dependent on many factors. Pre-defining an hour requirement does not ensure safety. The vast majority of instructors are good and conduct extra instruction for students who require it. They should not be required to spend time on basic drills with someone who clearly possess skills beyond those taught in a basic pistol class.

We thank Chairmen Coley and Stebelton for allowing these bills consideration before their respective committees and look forward to future hearings on bills important to law-abiding gun owners.

Jim Irvine is the Buckeye Firearms Association President, BFA PAC Chairman and recipient of the NRA-ILA's 2011 "Jay M. Littlefield Volunteer of the Year Award" and the CCRKBA's 2012 "Gun Rights Defender of the Year Award."

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