Posted on 11/29/2006 11:22:45 AM PST by kiriath_jearim
Republican lawmakers and the State Highway Patrol have reached a deal on how guns can be carried in vehicles, perhaps smoothing enactment of a bill that would modify Ohio's concealed-handgun law.
The bill, among other things, no longer would permit local governments to pass gun laws that go beyond the restrictions set by state lawmakers. This includes the assault-weapons ban passed by Columbus officials in the summer of 2005, and prohibitions on guns in parks or other places not designated as gun-free zones in state law. Those local laws would be invalidated.
Gov. Bob Taft had threatened to veto the bill, based on opposition from the patrol, which earlier objected to proposed changes in the way people could conceal guns in their vehicles.
"I think we have a bill that the Second Amendment people support and that law enforcement is OK with," said Sen. Jim Jordan, R-Urbana, chairman of the Senate Criminal Justice Committee, which is hearing the bill.
The main fight centered on whether concealed-carry permit holders, while in a vehicle, should be required to carry a gun either holstered in plain view or locked away in a glove box.
If the gun isn't locked away, the patrol wanted the gun in plain sight to protect troopers involved in traffic stops.
But gun-rights advocates, including bill sponsor Rep. James Aslanides, R-Coshocton, argued the plain-sight law caused logistical problems, particularly for women who carry guns in their purses rather than a holster. He also said it created unnecessary safety risks to move a gun from a holster to a glove box.
The patrol now is backing away from its plain-sight requirement in exchange for an increased criminal penalty if the person fails to notify an officer that he or she is carrying a concealed gun. The penalty would go from a fourth- to a first-degree misdemeanor, with a two-year gun permit suspension.
"Our main concern was that if they do away with the plain-sight that we, as law enforcement, wanted to ensure our officers' safety the best that we could," said Lt. Shawn Davis, of the patrol's Office of Strategic Services.
Davis said the patrol will take a neutral stance on the new version of the bill, to be introduced Wednesday, when a committee vote also is scheduled. An earlier version passed the House in March, 76-19.
Taft spokesman Mark Rickel offered no insight into whether the governor would support the revised measure. "It has not been a priority for the governor at this point."
Cities including Columbus have opposed having their gun laws pre-empted by the bill. Aslanides said a permit holder can't be expected to know hundreds of different gun laws.
But a spokesman for Columbus Mayor Michael B. Coleman has said the bill disrespects local control and "the ability of cities of any size to keep people safe."
Other expected changes to the bill:
Eliminating a provision that would allow a person to get a gun permit if his or her criminal record had been expunged.
Eliminating a provision that would allow an intoxicated permit holder to give his or her gun to someone else. Carrying a gun while drunk is a fifth-degree felony.
This is stupid.
The CCW-holders aren't the people the cops need to worry about.
They all act like everybody's a terrorist anyway, so what's the diff?
I have a concealed carry license in Ohio, and the law now requires the following when stopped...
1. Keep your hands in sight at all times...preferably by keeping them on the steering wheel.
2. When the officer gets to the car, advise as follows: Office, I have a concealed carry license, and I am armed...my weapon is in...(the trunk, glove box, whatever)
Exactly.
This actually puts a law-abiding citizen at more risk than a criminal.
Nice work, morons.
Try digging around in your car when the cop walks up even if you don't have a CHL and see what happens...
"Never forget, even for an instant, that the one and only reason anybody has for taking your gun away is to make you weaker than he is, so he can do something to you that you wouldn’t let him do if you were equipped to prevent it. This goes for burglars, muggers, and rapists, and even more so for policemen, bureaucrats, and politicians." — Aaron Zelman and L. Neil Smith, Hope (2001)
How do I know their training is crappy?
Because they're worried about a CHL holder's gun ...
If a peace officer requests your pilot's license, the FAA requires that you present it. This caused a problem for a buddy who was speeding to an appointment with a student. He is a certified flight instructor. The officer said, "Let me see your pilot's license". The officer intended a "humorous" comment. The flight instructor complied with FAA regulations. The officer wasn't amused. My buddy got a ride to the police station and missed his appointment. The officer realized he was off base in his response after the FAA requirement was explained to him. The speeding ticket was still issued and the instructor lost the revenue from his appointment.
Exactly.
If they really wanted to protect the cops, they'd pass a law that every person in the vehicle has to exit and lie prostrate on the ground with their arms extended while the ossifer cuffs them at every traffic stop.
But no. Target the law-abiding CHL-holders instead.
That's how you know the law is designed to reduce the number of CHL-holders, not to protect cops.
Hmmm ... seems to me that what caused your buddy a problem was an ignorant jerk with a badge.
OK, so don't volunteer the information if you get stopped. If he asks you if you have a gun, just lie about it. Maybe you'll get lucky, but lying to a cop is stupid and stupid people only get lucky on rare occasion. It's your call.
Oh, BTW ossifer. I also stopped at that last stop sign, stayed within the speed limit, have insurance, etc etc etc."
Well, when he asks to see proof of insurance, just refuse. It's none of his business, right?
Then go buy a bike to get to work, or get a bus schedule. You won't be driving.
Totally missed the point.
But, whatever...
You missed my point. I meant banks, stores, etc won't take my pilot's license as a valid ID. Police though have never asked for it...even as a sarcasm :)
I know. I've never offered mine as ID. My pilot's license doesn't have a photo, so they're not interested. I do avoid using my CCW as ID except when I'm making a firearm purchase. My CCW is almost identical in appearance to my driver's license. It makes some retail clerks nervous if you use the CCW for ID.
Thanks for the reminder. Aaron Zelman is one of my heroes!
"Republican lawmakers and the State Highway Patrol have reached a deal on how guns can be carried "
Explain to me why the State Highway Patrol has standing in this?
Let's see, there are the Republicans, Democrats, Libertarians, Socialist and now the STate Highway Patrol?
Our esteemed governor, the Honorable Robert Taft, hid behind the Highway Patrol when the original concealed carry law was passed. He said he wouldn't sign anything the Patrol did not approve. I assume all changes also have to be approved by the Patrol before he will go along.
In regards to various Highway Patrols, my truck driver cousin told me once that of the states he drove to with any regularity that he hated Ohio second only to Illinois. Especially Illinois. He said he strove to never spend a penny there if he could possibly avoid it; deliver load and get out.
THERE ISN'T ANY 'LOCAL CONTROL", it is a right enumerated to the PEOPLE in the FERDERAL constitition.
In FL we don't have to tell the cops unless they ask.
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