A group of Republican lawmakers in Ohio has begun the process of putting Constitutional Carry into place.
The group has filed a permitless carry bill in the Ohio state Senate. The proposal, SB 215, was filed by Senator Terry Johnson and has 8 co-sponsors. This bill joins HB 227, the Ohio state House version of permitless carry legislation.
The measure proposed in Ohio is not one that expands Ohioans current ability to carry but instead ensures that Ohioans can carry legal firearms in the state without a permit. Currently, Ohio has a very popular Shall-Issue concealed carry permit system, this new legislation does not sack the current permit process but instead, allows for residents of the state to circumnavigate the permit process.
Currently, the GOP has a stranglehold on Ohio politics, they control a majority in the House and Senate and they hold the Governor’s office. This does not mean that this bill is guaranteed to pass.
Ohio Governor Mike DeWine has already signed significant 2A legislation this year in the form of a Stand Your Ground bill. Governor DeWine is pro-2A but it is unclear if he supports Constitutional Carry legislation, his office told the Ohio Capitol-Journal that he has not yet taken an official position on the issue.
If Ohio were to pass this Constitutional Carry reform, Ohio would be the 22nd state to adopt the reform and the 6th state this year to adopt said reform. Iowa, Tennessee, Montana, Utah, and Texas have all adopted Constitutional Carry this year.
Things are looking good for the legislation, it has a very high chance of becoming law and that is a great thing for Ohio and America as a whole.
