Buckeyefirearms.org (formerly Ohioans for Concealed Carry) is reporting that Ohio Rep. Jim Aslanides (R-Coshocton) has proposed sweeping legislation to clean up Ohio's firearms laws.

The following is a summary of the major provisions of the Bill:

1. Firearms preemption is added to address the myriad of local firearms ordinances.

2. Sweeping changes are made to car carry and transportation. Holsters are no longer required to be in plain sight for a CHL carrying in a car. Locked cases no longer need to be in plain sight.

3. Unlicensed transportation now defines "loaded" as ammunition in the gun, regardless of proximity of ammunition. (No more "bullet in the range bag" convictions!)

4. The media access loophole is addressed by allowing CHL-applicants to "opt-out" by filing an affidavit OR a government report evidencing that they have cause to fear for their safety if their information is released. (Almost the exact same as the "evidence of imminent danger" provision of the current Temporary Emergency License.)

5. Sheriffs must accept all CHL applications and renewals during normal business hours and may not require appointments.

One big problem with the original bill is that minor violations of the statute are considered a felony. This has made a lot of law abiding gun owners reluctant to carry lest they befoul some obscure passage of the law. It's hard to read through the legalese of the bill (PDF), but this *appears* to clean that up. I also noted a passage that says an officer must return your firearm after a traffic stop, unless you are arrested for some offense or you are not legally allowed to possess the gun (ie: because it's stolen, your under 21, etc.)