Ohio: Right to Carry Reform Bill Passes Committee Vote

Today, Substitute House Bill 142 passed the Ohio state House Committee on Federalism and Interstate Relations with a vote of 9-2. This bill will reform the requirement that a concealed handgun licensee notify a law enforcement officer that they are carrying a concealed handgun when stopped for a law enforcement purpose, like a routine traffic stop.  Substitute HB 142 will nowhead to the House floor for consideration.  Please contact your representative and urge them to SUPPORT this important Right to Carry legislation.  Click the “Take Action” button below to contact your representative.

Sponsored by state Representative Scott Wiggam (R-1), the original House Bill 142 would have removed this requirement.  The substitute bill instead clearly specifies that the licensee is only required to present the license or verbally notify once requested to present their driver’s license upon being stopped by an officer for a law enforcement purpose.  By clarifying this disclosure requirement, it gives motorists a clear set of steps to follow when stopped by law enforcement.  In addition, Ohio currently has the most draconian criminal penalty of states with similar laws, possibly resulting in a serious misdemeanor charge punishable by up to six months imprisonment and a fine of up to $1,000 as well as suspension of the concealed handgun license.  This substitute bill instead lowers the penalty to a minor misdemeanor, eliminates the possibility of a suspended license or imprisonment, and reduces the fine not to exceed $25.

Your NRA would like to thank the committee members who voted in favor of this critical legislation to move Ohio in the right direction towards reforming the law to ensure penalties are closer in matching the offense.  Again, please contact your representative and urge them to vote in favor of this important legislation.  Stay tuned to www.nraila.org and your email inbox for further updates on this bill.