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Representative attempting to alter Ohio firearm law |
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Friday, 17 April 2009 |
By MIKE BURKHOLDER
Managing Editor
ST. MARYS — For the second time in two years, an area legislator is attempting to change the concealed and carry law via a new bill.
State Rep. John Adams, R-Sidney, last week introduced House Bill 129 — a measure that seeks to change the current concealed and carry law. The proposal would not require residents who are legally allowed to carry, possess and purchase firearms to obtain a permit to do so. Other changes include stripping the stipulation requiring permit holders to carry the permit while carrying a firearms as well as informing approaching law enforcement officials that a person is carrying a concealed weapon.
"I introduced this last year in the General Assembly and it only had one committee hearing," Adams said. "We made some changes to it."
Adams said the most glaring change comes in the form of stripping the requirement of obtaining a permit to carry a concealed weapon. The change, Adams said, is aimed at protecting the rights of law-abiding citizens.
"You still have to go through the training and keep the paper that says you went through the training," Adams said. "All it does is eliminate the licensing aspect, but it does allow you to choose to go through that process. It's a hybrid — you can do either."
The bill, which Adams likened to the Alaska-style Carry, also repeals mandates for re-qualification. The proposal also would allow the weapons to be carried on college campuses.
"Vermont has no licensing aspect whatsoever," Adams said.
"The law-abiding citizen doesn't change from state to state. That's always been my main thrust on arguing these points — the law-abiding citizen."
Adams said he believes law-abiding citizens should not be punished because of a fear of criminals. Instead, Adams said the law should protect the rights of the law-abiding citizens.
"There shouldn't be any alarmism on this," Adams said. "A law-abiding citizen in Vermont is not required to be licensed and I think it is a fundamental right (to carry)."
While the bill failed to clear committee hearings last year, Adams said he hopes the proposal makes it to the floor for a vote. However, the Sidney resident stopped short of making any predictions.
"I look forward to the committee hearing process," Adams said. "We are guaranteed one hearing and you go from there. I find on both sides of the aisle that they do understand the law abiding citizen aspect of it. They are not criminals and shouldn't be treated as such."
Auglaize County Sheriff Al Solomon said he agrees with the protection of law-abiding citizens' rights, but favors some type of oversight on the topic.
Solomon said the current system, which implements background checks, has safeguards in place to reduce the chances of a disqualified person from obtaining a permit.
"I think you have to have some regulations in place," Solomon said. "You still have to consider the safety of law enforcement officers who are making those traffic stops in are in other situations."
St. Marys Police Chief Greg Foxhoven said he favors keeping the licensing aspect of the law as well as background checks. The measures, the police chief said, offer some safeguards for the public.
"If it isn't broke don't fix it," Foxhoven said. "I support the idea there is training and there is a license. I think it's been working and there haven't been any issues, at least locally."
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Last Updated ( Wednesday, 29 April 2009 )
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