Ohio is poised to become the 22nd state to recognize one’s right to keep and bear arms the way the founders and framers intended.
Senate Bill 215, a constitutional carry bill, cleared both chambers this week, 57-35 in the House, and 24-8 in the Senate.
Per Journal-News, the bill has three provisions:
- A person at least 21 years old who is otherwise legally allowed to have a gun can carry it concealed without a permit, without having to take the now-required eight hours of gun safety training.
- Holders of a current concealed-carry permit no longer have to carry that license with them.
- If stopped by police, a person with a concealed weapon no longer has to tell officers about it unless they’re specifically asked.
“We are at a historic moment in Ohio legislative history,” said the Buckeye Firearms Association, one of the pro-gun groups that backed the bill.
“This is the closest we’ve ever been to passing a bill to make the licensing process optional for concealed carry of a firearm,” continued BFA. “Bills have been presented in former legislative sessions, but have not advanced.”
However, not every gun owner in the Buckeye State is thrilled with the news. Firearms instructor Kim Rodecker objected to it, arguing that mandatory training prevents accidents and saves lives.
SEE ALSO: Research: Constitutional Carry Does Not Result in Higher Murder or Violent Crime Rates
“I don’t think it’s good at all,” Rodecker, who owns Concealed Carry Courses of Cleveland, told WKYC.
“It’s like if you have a 16-year-old who wants to learn how to drive. Would you just throw him the keys and the book, and say, here, go teach yourself? It’s just as stupid,” he said.
“I have trained so many people that they wouldn’t take the class if they don’t have to. They’d make a mistake and that mistake could cost somebody their life,” he added.
But extensive research looking at rates of violent crime, police killings, and firearm homicide in the aftermath of the passage of constitutional carry laws, conducted by the Crime Research Prevention Center, indicates there were no statistically significant changes to any category. Moreover, the murder rate actually dropped.
Critics of permitless carry may argue that the issue still warrants further examination, particularly as it relates to accidental shootings and instances of negligent discharge, but the notion that SB 215 will be an existential danger to public safety is nonsense.
“It’s outrageous and frustrating that our lawmakers are ignoring law enforcement’s vocal opposition to permitless carry and continue to push through this dangerous bill,” Kristine Woodworth, a volunteer with Moms Demand Action in Ohio, said in a press release.
“Gutting permitting requirements will put our communities, and the people whose job it is to keep us safe, in danger,” she insisted.
Again, this is nonsense. As Dean Rieck BFA’s Executive Director explained, “What we’re trying to do is allow Ohioans to exercise their constitutional rights without that burden… No other constitutional right requires you to jump through that many hoops.”
“This is not a novel concept,” he added. “Those states haven’t had any big problems with this. We don’t think Ohio is going to have any problems either.”
Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine will now have the option to sign or veto SB 215. Stay tuned for updates!
I had my OH license since 2015. I look at it this way if open carry with no training requirement has worked why wouldn’t concealed……same thing except it’s hidden now!
I’m in favor of constitutional carry. With that said… I was fortunate to have a family that taught me gun safety and respect for firearms.
As a hunter, I’ve experienced several instances of people not respecting the danger of a weapon. From a hillside I watched a hunter (standing with his son) shoot his buddies truck while on a deer drive. Had a young hunter discharge his shotgun in my direction while it sat on his lap. Had a trespasser slinging slugs past me with a cantilever scope mount shotgun without a scope (no sights). NO hunter orange either. Hugged a tree as bullets zipped through the leaves around my tree stand, discharged by a guy shooting a Ak-47 at the shotgun only range 500 yards away.
Most if not all had hunter education cards. Point is… One 8 hour class won’t teach responsibility.
During the shooting portion of my concealed carry class i saw parts of the ceiling falling and sparks on the wall in front of my stall (Number 6). No it wasn’t me. It was the new shooter in stall No.1!!! This person wasn’t used to the recoil and would pull the trigger without being back on target during a double tap drill. No it wasn’t the fault of the instructor. He was doing his job and trying to help instruct without completely discouraging a new shooter. That person was instructed to get more training but met the requirements of the State.
As a Constitutional Right!
The Only Responsible way to teach Gun Safety is over a lifetime and at a very young age. That’s why I believe it should be federal Law that it be taught in every school system in the United States. Nothing outrageous. Something like a 1 or 2 hour class every year going over The basics of gun mechanics, Laws, uses, Realities, and most of all SAFE handling practices. Age appropriate of course. Maybe a range trip for all juniors or seniors in high school. No one should be forced to fire if they so choose. i believe once they see other students with a nervous and exited smile most would choose to hit a target. This would debunk stigma and fear generated by political agenda. Education and understanding of their right would create a safer and more rounded citizen. Just my 2 cents!
I believe once they see other students with a nervous and EXCITED smile most would choose to hit the target. Sorry for the typo
I’m an original OH CCW 2004 licensee in Shelby County. I’m an NRA Cert Instructor of 9 disciplines. I was a Ohio Hunters Education Instructor. I’m a USN-Vietnam Vet. I’ve held all five HAM Radio class licenses and a BS/MS-EET degrees. I moved to Ohio in 2000, from Wisconsin where I was was an active hunter since I was 12yrs (when we can first carry a hunting gun). I got my Hunter-Safety course two hears after it was created in WI.
I like this new law “for me” but I’m not too happy about not requiring some type of training/testing as many Ohioans lack the common-sense to come in from out of the rain. Only the CO$T of the training kept them from carrying a pistol. I can see why fellow Safety Instructors would hate the law as it kills their income. So will the ‘I did not know that’ become a viable defense for lawyers in some pistol violation – hope not.
OH Hunters-Ed requires a 100question written test, drivers/motorcycle license requires a written test, FCC HAM Radio requires written tests, college degrees require written tests – so I think CCW should at a minimum require a written test covering OH gun laws, common-sense pistol safety, and a gun purchase ATF background check. Not all citizens are created equal in having common-sense or mentally capable.
This is going to be interesting. As a lifelong Ohio resident (and voter) I’ve watched Mike DeWine (R(INO)- OH) side with the left wing on all sorts of things (including many anti-Second Amendment measures), while claiming, over and over, to be a conservative. I participated in a meeting with him when he ran for Ohio Attorney General in which he demonstrated pretty clearly by his answers to questions that he 1) has no clue how the Federal system is supposed to work and 2) has no idea why the Second Amendment was included in the Bill of Rights.
BUT, he’s now in a primary fight for the Republican gubernatorial nomination this year. He is struggling with being very unpopular for his covid antics. I’m betting he’ll hold his nose and sign this bill. Otherwise, I think he knows he can kiss his political power goodbye.
Personally, I’m praying he signs the thing and STILL gets defeated in the primary. Maybe then Ohio can move forward again.