Restaurant/ Car Carry Rules Fix and Restoration of Rights scheduled for possible vote in Senate committee

After another disappointing week with no floor action in the Republican-led House on HB45 (Restaurant/Car Carry Rules Fix) and HB54 (Restoration of Rights), both of which have been passed in committee after multiple hearings, identical bills are showing new signs of life in the Senate.

The Senate Judiciary on Criminal Justice Committee, chaired by BFA "A+" -rated Sen. Tim Grendell (R), has scheduled a hearing on Tuesday, April 12 at 4:00 PM in the Senate Building's North Hearing Room.

The committee will hold its third hearing on SB17, sponsored by Senator Tim Schaffer (R) to allow citizens who hold a valid concealed handgun license (CHL) to carry a firearm in restaurants, and to reduce burdensome restrictions regarding how a license-holder must transport a firearm in a car.

The committee will also hold its third hearing on Sen. Jason Wilson's (D) SB61, which will align Ohio law with federal statutes regarding the restoration of rights to Ohio firearms purchasers.

Chairman Grendell has indicated that proponent/ opponent/ interested party testimony will be considered on both bills, and has informed the committee that amendments may be considered before a vote is taken.

This marks the first movement of this legislation in the Senate in more than two months. The Senate passed identical bills in the last session, but they died at the hands of then-House Speaker Armond Budish (D).

There is no question that these bills have the votes to pass in both the House and Senate. The only question is when the Republican leadership in the two chambers will allow these bills to have a vote.

Call your elected officials and urge a floor vote for these bills in the House and Senate!

For the full text of the SB17, visit:
http://www.legislature.state.oh.us/bills.cfm?ID=129_SB_17

For more information and the full text of the SB61, visit:
http://www.legislature.state.oh.us/bills.cfm?ID=129_SB_61