The Buckeye State proved on Monday that even with Democrats in control of the federal government, wins can still be had for the 2nd Amendment. Governor Mike DeWine signed into law Senate Bill 215, which allows any person who can legally own a firearm the right to carry concealed within the state of Ohio. This makes Ohio the 23rd state to sign such a bill into law, however since the bill goes into effect only 90 days after being signed by the governor, it will actually beat out Alabama to become the 22nd state to implement permitless carry, also known among gun rights circles as constitutional carry. The Firearms Policy Coalition remarked on Twitter that once both bills go into effect, “more than 100 million people will live in permitless carry states.” What a milestone for our right to self-defense!
Once this and Alabama's recently signed bill go into effect, more than 100 million people will live in permitless carry states. https://t.co/wEFyWeh8SQ
— Firearms Policy Coalition (@gunpolicy) March 14, 2022
Cleveland.com also describes another provision of the Ohio bill which protects people from unknowingly committing a crime.
SB215 will also no longer require motorists to proactively tell law enforcement about concealed handguns in their vehicles during traffic stops, though drivers would still have to truthfully say whether they have a gun with them if an officer asks.
Right now, drivers who fail to pre-emptively notify an officer in Ohio that they have a gun with them face a first-degree misdemeanor, punishable by up to six months in jail, a $1,000 fine and suspension of their concealed-handgun license. SB215 eliminates that penalty.
Many Ohioans may still wish to pre-emptively inform officers that there’s a handgun in their vehicle as an act of courtesy, but it’s nice to know that if you forget (or you’re from out of state and don’t know Ohio law), you won’t be slapped with potential fines, jail time, and suspension of your right to carry.
Not everyone is quite so happy about Ohio’s newly-minted status as a constitutional carry state, though, as Cleveland.com also informs us:
The Ohio Democratic Party, in a release, said DeWine has sold out to “extremists and special interests at the expense of Ohio families and law enforcement officers.”
“This bill will make all Ohioans less safe. Time and again, DeWine has promised to support law enforcement officers and ‘do something’ to combat gun violence in our state,” said state Democratic Party Chair Liz Walters in a statement. “Once again, he’s failed on both fronts, putting his own political interests over the safety and well-being of his constituents.”
I wonder why it is that the Democrats always accuse pro-Second Amendment politicians of “selling out to special interests” like the NRA or gun manufacturers. It can’t be a tactic that actually rings true to anyone. I find it much more likely that these patriotic men and women are simply true believers in our right to keep and bear arms, voting for what they believe to be the will and best interest of their constituents.
Either way, congratulations to Buckeye State residents who, as of June 12th of this year, will be able to exercise their right to bear arms in the manner they choose, without having to ask anyone for permission! You’ve earned it!
Brady Bowyer is a veteran of many political campaigns ranging from the municipal to federal level, as well as several pro-freedom PACs and nonprofits. Check out more of Brady’s work on his Substack, Leaning into Liberty. He and his wife are proud to call South Carolina’s Lowcountry their home.
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