State of Ohio considering more discriminatory rules for gun owners who foster children in need; Comment period closing soon

by Jim Irvine

The State of Ohio is holding an open comment period on rules regarding foster care. While you may not be interested in becoming a foster parent, you should understand that rules in one government agency are often used to justify similar rules in a different place. In short, everything is related.

Current foster care rules are covered in the Ohio Administrative Code. Rules regarding firearms state:

5101:2-7-12 Site and safety requirements for a foster home.

(F) A foster home shall comply with the following requirements regarding weapons:
(1) The following weapons kept on the grounds of or in a foster home shall be stored in an inoperative condition in a locked area inaccessible to children:

(a) Firearms.
(b) Air rifles.
(c) Hunting slingshots.
(d) Any other projectile weapon.

(2) All ammunition, arrows or projectiles for such weapons shall be stored in a separate locked space.

(3) Any foster caregiver who is also a law enforcement official and can document that their jurisdiction requires them to have ready and immediate access to their weapon shall be exempt from the requirements of this paragraph.

Consideration is being given to making the rules even worse by requiring people to disclose that they have a concealed handgun license and put restrictions on how they carry concealed.

If you disagree with the idea that gun owners should lose their right to self defense for volunteering to foster children in need, now is the time to make your thoughts known. You'll need to hurry because the open comment period ends in just three days on December 27, 2013.

To comment, click here.

Under the "Families and Children" section, click on the "Comments" box. Keep your comments polite and professional.

We thank you for your assistance in helping all Ohioans be able to fully exercise their Second Amendment rights and to have the option to use all legal tools for protection of their family.

Jim Irvine is the Buckeye Firearms Association President, and recipient of the NRA-ILA's 2011 "Jay M. Littlefield Volunteer of the Year Award" and the CCRKBA's 2012 "Gun Rights Defender of the Year Award."