URGENT: Ohio House schedules sessions, but fate of pro-gun bills is still in doubt [UPDATED]

The Gongwer News Service is reporting that the Ohio House of Representatives has announced that it WILL hold full sessions on Tuesday, Dec. 7, and Wednesday, Dec. 8. "As needed" sessions were also set for Thursday, Dec. 9 and Tuesday, Dec. 14.

However, the story does not mention SB239 (Restaurant & Car Carry Rules Fix) and SB247 (Restoration of Rights) among whatever limited legislation action is being planned.

Additional information on a plan to bring these bills to a vote should be available on this website early next week. In the meantime, however, YOUR HELP IS NEEDED RIGHT NOW.

UPDATE 12/2/10: Please call your Representative immediately and ask that they sign the discharge petitions for Senate Bill 239 and Senate Bill 247, being circulated by State Rep. Danny Bubp's office. Ask your representative to make extra effort, if needed, to get together with Rep. Bubp in person to sign the petition. By House rule, the petition circulator must witness the signatures, so your representative will need to make the extra effort to get together with Rep. Bubp in person to sign these petitions.

We know we have asked for your phone calls over the last three weeks, but this need is new, critical and urgent. Even if you have called before urging the bills to be voted upon, we need you to stop what you are doing, call now and ask your State Representative to sign on to the two discharge petitions.]

When that is done, then do whatever is needed (print this article, write it on your hand, forward to Twitter, post on Facebook) to generate as many calls and emails about these discharge petitions as possible.

1.) Click here to call your State Representative
2.) Follow the instructions and contact your representative and request that they meet with Rep. Bubp and sign the two discharge petitions.

SB239 has passed the Ohio Senate by a large margin. This bill would bring Ohio into the 21st century by joining 42 states that allow concealed carry licensees to carry in a restaurant that serves alcohol, and joining 47 states that place no restriction on how a licensee may carry a firearm in a vehicle.

SB247, which passed the Ohio Senate by a large margin, including a 100% vote on a floor amendment, brings Ohio law into alignment with Federal law on restoration of rights. This bill is entirely unopposed by the Ohio Prosecuting Attorney's Association, the Buckeye Sheriff's Association and almost every law enforcement organization in Ohio. There is simply no excuse for not bringing this vote to the floor of the Ohio House.

You have rolled your eyes, expressed your disappointment and outrage at Ohio's absurd gun laws...now is the time for you to do something to get these bills passed.

It is inexcusable that these bills have not passed yet. It is even more inexcusable that these bills are not scheduled for a vote despite promises to the contrary.

It is time that you, the gun owner, take charge of your gun rights and let the Ohio House know that there must be a vote on these two bills before 1/1/2011. It is also time that you, the gun owner, let every Representative know that you will consider the failure to bring these bills to a vote as an automatic disqualifier, regardless of party, in future elections. If a candidate has not voted to bring these bills to the floor, that candidate does not deserve your support.

The time for partisan finger-pointing is long past. The time for a vote is now.

CALL YOUR REPRESENTATIVE IMMEDIATELY!