Great news from OFCC-PAC. The Ohio Senate Judiciary Committee has released proposed language for a subsitute CCW bill. The bill *should* appease both the National Rifle Association and the Fraternal Order of Police labor union. HB274 has already passed the House with a veto proof majority. It had been thought that the Senate would try to add a few poison pills to the bill, but that doesn't appear to be the case. Chad D. Baus, Vice Chairman of the OFCC-PAC notes:

Contrary to rumor-based statements put out over the past few weeks, the bill does NOT contain requirements for psychological testing, per gun training in the 40-50 hour brackets, the removal of shall-issue language, or a "safe-storage" provision, all of which were considered to be potential poison pills.

As was our unfortunate expectation, however, Substitute HB274 is by no means an improvement on the House version. The Senate version would require fingerprinting of applicants, and would prohibit permits for those who have assaulted a police officer, even if the charge was a misdemeanor (a major concession meant to appease the FOP). While we are in NO way advocating assaulting police officers, we believe that once a person convicted of a misdemeanor pays her debt to society, she should not loose her constitutionally protected rights merely to appease a police labor union.

The changes also include allowing employers to dictate whether permit-holders can carry on their premises, and ordering the attorney general to produce information on when Ohio law permits a person to use deadly force. It also sets at 12 hours the length of a required gun safety course, and requires updated training every six years.

Hopefully the Senate will either vote on Substitute HB274, or pass the original HB274 bill before the end of the legislative year (about 5 days away). Feel free to check their website for updates and/or to provide support.

While this is more strict than the Georgia CCW law that I am used to, I am willing to accept it. It seems to be on par with neighboring states, which should help out when it comes to reciprocity.

Related AP Story: Police union ready to drop opposition to concealed weapons