If you live in the state of Ohio then you can now carry a handgun, concealed, without a permit.
This is thanks to a new law passed by the state’s Republican majorities and signed by their Governor Mike DeWine:
FOX NEWS – Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine on Monday signed a bill that allows people in the state to carry a concealed handgun without a permit.
Senate Bill 215 allows anyone aged 21 or older to carry a concealed firearm unless they are prohibited from possessing a gun under state or federal law.
The decision by DeWine makes Ohio the 23rd constitutional carry state, according to the National Rifle Association’s Institute for Legislative Action.
“NRA thanks Gov. DeWine for signing this critical bill that upholds the Second Amendment in Ohio, for the benefit of law-abiding citizens,” the lobbying arm of the NRA stated.
SB215 will also eliminate penalties for motorists who fail to proactively tell law enforcement about concealed handguns in their vehicles during traffic stops. However, drivers would still have to say whether they have a gun with them if an officer requests, according to cleveland.com.
Previously, drivers faced a first-degree misdemeanor, a $1,000 fine, and suspension of their concealed-handgun license if they failed to proactively tell authorities that they have concealed handguns on them, the news website reported.
Supporters of the bill argued that law-abiding citizens have a right to carry concealed weapons under the Second Amendment unless there is a compelling reason to stop them from carrying. They argued the decision empowers those citizens to exercise their right to carry without having to go through government red tape and delays.
Opponents of the bill argue that it will make Ohioans and law enforcement officers more vulnerable to gun violence. The Ohio Fraternal Order of Police, Hamilton County Sheriff Charmaine McGuffey and the Ohio Mayors Alliance had opposed SB215.
This is wonderful news for all Ohioans and will no doubt make the state a safer place. I can’t wait until my state passes such a law, but we’ve got to dump our Democrat governor first.