Early this morning, Sub. Senate Bill 199, now including original language from Sub. House Bill 48, overwhelmingly passed the House and final concurrence in the Senate, despite the efforts of misguided anti-gun groups. The bill will now go to Governor Kasich for final consideration.
Governor Kasich has 10 days to make a final decision on this bill. It is critical that you contact Governor Kasich and urge him to sign this important self-defense legislation into law! Please click the “Take Action” button below to contact Governor Kasich!
Sponsored by state Senator Joe Uecker (R-14), Sub. SB 199 exempts active duty members of the U.S. Armed Forces from the concealed carry permit license requirements. The bill makes several important changes in the Concealed Handgun Law regarding a person who is an active duty member of the U.S. armed forces and is carrying a valid military identification card and a certificate issued by the person's applicable service branch indicating that the person has successfully completed small arms qualification (qualifying member of the military).
Sub. SB 199 also allows an employee to store a firearm in his or her locked vehicle without fear of employer retribution. Throughout the country, many employers have adopted “No Firearms” policies that extend beyond the physical workplace to include employee parking lots – areas often accessible to the general public and not secure. These misguided policies leave employees to choose between protecting themselves during their commutes and be subject to termination by their employers. The fundamental right to self-defense should not stop simply because employees park their cars in publicly accessible parking lots owned by their employers. This bill would correct that problem by prohibiting employers from establishing, maintaining or enforcing such policies.
The amended language from Sub. HB 48, sponsored by state Representative Ron Maag (R-62), would also enhance law-abiding citizens’ right to self-defense by expanding the list of places where citizens can legally carry concealed.