State Representative Tom Brinkman (R-Mt. Lookout) wants to make Ohio the 18th state in the nation to enact Constitutional Carry.
Brinkman introduced House Bill 178, which would do all of the following (per local news affiliate WCPO):
- It expands the scope of the law by changing “concealed handgun” to “concealed weapons,” which includes “all deadly weapons.”
- It eliminates the training currently required to own a gun.
- It also removes the requirement to notify police officers during a traffic stop that an individual is carrying a concealed weapon.
- In addition, the bill requires concealed weapons holders to be 21 years old. Felons would not be allowed to purchase a weapon.
“So the idea is, ‘Why all the restrictions on our law-abiding citizens?'” Brinkman explained in an interview with WCPO. “I’m trying to empower law-abiding citizens to be able to defend themselves and protect themselves when they get into these types of situations.”
Firearms instructor Jeffry Smith agrees with Brinkman. He told the station, “There is no license required to exercise your First Amendment right of free speech, or your exercise of religion. Nor should there be to exercise your Second Amendment right to keep and bear arms.”
While that makes sense from a Constitutional perspective, critics of permitless carry contend that allowing citizens to carry without training, licensing and a background check endangers public safety.
“Any time you have something that causes death in young, otherwise healthy people at a rate of 100 a day, that’s a public health crisis,” said retried epidemiologist Cynthia Molloy, a vocal opponent of the bill. “We’ve got to study it. We’ve got to understand, which means putting resources and people who understand public health issues to work on this specific issue of gun violence.”
One person who does understand the effects of gun ownership on society is economist Dr. John Lott Jr.
Earlier this year, Dr. Lott testified before a Kentucky House Judiciary Committee on the topic of Constitutional Carry. Dr. Lott’s testimony was instructive and very persuasive. Here were his main findings:
- For states that have had permitless carry for at least five years, all rates of violent crime are lower after its adoption than prior.
- For states that have had permitless carry for a shorter duration, approximately two years, murder rates, rape rates, aggravated assault rates tend to decline in a statistically significant manner. However, there is no statistically significant change in robbery rates or accidental gun deaths.
- Despite the fact that firearms training is no longer mandated, more people sign up for classes. Moreover, there are changes in the composition of the training as the classes tend to be more practically oriented.
- Perhaps most importantly, the segments of society most impacted by crime — poor folk and minorities — carry in larger numbers.
While Dr. Lott doesn’t say it specifically, that last takeaway may be the reason why crime rates decline following the passage of these laws. Because it’s harder for criminals to prey upon someone who has the tools and the willingness to fight back.
Brinkman said it may be a year or so before House Bill 178 ends up on Gov. Mike DeWine’s desk. As for right now, he wants to keep the conversation going.
“I’m asking the committee chair to have hearings to continue the discussion on our bill,” said Brinkman.
Stay tuned for updates.
While this is a step in the right direction it is not constitutional carry. No state has constitutional carry because the federal government outlawed it with NFA. Nics Act and other unconstitutional restrictions.
Shows to go you, not all politicans are fools, traitors or scumbags. Bravo sir Bravo
“… death in young, otherwise healthy people at a rate of 100 a day, that’s a public health crisis…”
Horse manure!! 70 of those per day are suicides (the rate of which is NOT dependent upon the tool used), not murders. Another 5 of those per day are justifiable homicides – police or private citizens shooting criminals in the act of commission of a felony. Another 22 per day are gang (intra-gang or inter-gang) and drug related, in 12 Democrat-controlled inner-city slums. Only 3 (three!!) per day – in a population of 330 million people – are actually murders of innocent people. That is NOT in any way, shape or form, a “public health crisis” based upon the firearms themselves.
Despite the anti-gun rhetoric by hoplophobic idiots that would have citizens believe otherwise, guns are inanimate, non-sentient objects – chunks of metal and plastic – that have no mentality and whose simple existence cannot coerce humans into violent action.
I’d be willing to bet that DeWine won’t sign this bill. Despite being a Republican, he is NOT a strong supporter of the 2nd ammendment.
The fact that will keep law abiding citizens cognizant of their responsibility for carrying a firearm will be the “liability” issue. We all know that within our litigious society lawsuits for improper firearm use will cause a person to give serious consideration as to how and when a firearm is discharged. Realistically, what is the difference when a person causes a fatality while driving or otherwise? The liability issue is faced in court and resolved. Obviously the tragedy is not lessened any by no means. Like all things that involve liability, the court system is required to determine the accountability of those involved. As a society that has loop wholes within existing laws we will always have the criminal element out there. Until we get the back bone to enforce what is in place making the “law abiding” citizen will only increase the criminal population that much larger.
Always with the “100 a day” which includes “suicides by gun” and “all homicides involving a gun”.
As somebody pointed out on the Book Of Face, that clusterbungle in Florida involving the UPS truck, those deaths (even the “collateral damage”) are going to be included in the “Gun Deaths” by people who want to further infringe on our rights.
The Statistics from the other 17 states that already have Constitutional Carry should be touted regularly….It’s great here in Kansas….I have no qualms about my safety anywhere.