HB 425 (Duty to Notify) to receive 5th hearing, possible amendments Thursday

Representative John Becker (R-Union Twp, Clermont Co.), who chairs the House Federalism Committee, has announced a 5th hearing for HB 425 (Duty to Notify), sponsored by Rep. Scott Wiggam.

The hearing will be held on Thursday, May 28, 2020 at 3:00 p.m. in Room 116 at the Statehouse, 1 Capitol Square, Columbus, OH 43215. The Chair has announced that an amendment or substitute bill may be offered.

The committee will hear proponent, opponent and interested party testimony. Buckeye Firearms Association has already testified in support of this bill.

Current law states that if you have a Concealed Handgun License and are carrying a handgun, you must "promptly" notify a law enforcement officer who stops you for any official purpose. But when is "promptly"? This is confusing and can lead to misunderstandings during encounters with law enforcement.

As introduced, HB 425 would modify this rule to clarify when and how to notify to avoid confusion. BFA is also hoping to eliminate the duty to notify entirely.

Currently, 41 states have laws with no duty to notify unless specifically asked, something officers are already trained to do. If 41 of 50 states have no duty to notify, there is obviously no safety issue for law enforcement. They are trained to assume citizens may be in possession of firearms. States with no duty to notify unless specifically asked by law enforcement include California, Hawaii, New Jersey, and New York, which have some of the strictest firearm laws in the country.