Greene County to allow CCW in government buildings

Senate Bill 199 was passed and became effective in March 21, 2017. The bill was sponsored by Senator Joe Uecker (R), while the companion House Bill was championed by then State Rep. Ron Maag (R). The bill contained many sweeping changes to Ohio's concealed carry law. Included in that list was the option for local governments to allow concealed carry in their buildings. The initial reaction to the possibility of local governments allowing more concealed carry access appeared to be along the lines of "no way in my buildings." Change takes time and local efforts. Both have paid off for the CHL holders of Greene County as the Board of County Commissioners recently voted to permit concealed carry in some of the county buildings.

The Commissioners approved a policy change as presented by the County Administrator Brandon Huddleson. The effort was done quietly with leadership provided by Greene County Treasurer Dick Gould. Gould, who was a Buckeye Firearms Association endorsed candidate in 2016, is also a retired Fairborn City police officer. He approached me prior to the 2016 election and asked how he can earn the Buckeye Firearms Association endorsement. I knew him personally from involvement in local political circles. While Gould didn't need the Buckeye Firearms Association endorsement as he was running unopposed, he did want it. This working relationship has paid benefits for Greene County CHL holders.

The new policy in Greene County is each department administrator or elected official may determine what's best for their office. Gould moved immediately to allow carry in the Treasurer's office. Other locations within the county buildings and access maze are more complicated. The buildings are often interconnected through various basement or other access routes. So an office that may want to permit concealed carry may be connected to another office that doesn't want it. There are currently meetings and discussions among several interconnected departments including the Auditor's Office, the Recorder's office and the Prosecutor's office, including victim witness and advocate conference rooms shared. The Prosecutor is not likely to allow concealed carry. Resistance to change is normal in any government or business organization. Perhaps in time, these office holders can become convinced that the legal CHL holder is not the problem.

Concealed carry is prohibited in the County Courthouse, Sheriff's Office and Jail, Domestic Relations Court, the Juvenile Justice Complex, Social Services Complex including Jobs and Family Services, Greenwood Manor and Today Center For Adults.

The first step of change to allow concealed carry in Greene County owned buildings has happened. Thanks to Gould for all his efforts in advocating for this change. This highlights the critical need for local relationships with elected officials. Continued change will require the positive involvement of more CHL holders politely requesting that local government recognize our right to self-defense.

Outdoor writer and hunter education instructor Larry S. Moore is a long-time volunteer leader for Buckeye Firearms Foundation and winner of the 2005 USSA Patriot Award, the 2007 League of Ohio Sportsmen/Ohio Wildlife Federation Hunter Educator of the Year and the 2010 National Wild Turkey Federation/ Women in the Outdoors Hunter Education Instructor of the Year.

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Greene County loosens CCW restrictions for government buildings