House Speaker says SB17 (Restaurant/Car Carry Rules Fix) should get a vote in the House this week, be sent to governor

True to his word offered on June 2, when he promised Restaurant & Carry Carry Rules Fix legislation would receive a final vote before his chamber breaks for the summer, Speaker William Batchelder (R-Medina) is saying that his chamber plans to move the Senate's version (SB17) as early as this Wednesday, June 15.

From the Dayton Daily News:

Legislation to permit concealed carry permit holders to take guns into bars and restaurants that serve alcohol appears headed for a final vote in the Ohio House, perhaps as early as Wednesday, Mike Dittoe, spokesman for Speaker William Batchelder, R-Medina, said Monday.

On Tuesday the House State Government and Elections Committee is scheduled to consider and vote on the Senate version of the legislation, Senate Bill 17. The Senate previously approved it.

The legislation prohibits concealed carry permit holder from drinking themselves while carrying their weapons in bars or restaurants serving alcohol.

Once that happens, the full House will get the bill, perhaps on Wednesday but "at the latest next week," said Dittoe. If approved by the House, it would go to Gov. John Kasich for his signature.

The House has already passed a nearly identical piece of legislation by a 56-40 margin, but in order to be sent to the governor, but the decision was made to use the Senate version which requires a separate vote in the House.

In addition to positive changes made to allow license holders to be in establishments that serve alcohol so long as they are not drinking, the bill also removes restrictions on how license holders must handle their weapons while driving. Currently, Ohio is the only state to place such complex limitations on license holders, including requirements that guns must be in a holster, closed case or unlocked container in plain sight.

Buckeye Firearms Association Central Ohio Chair Linda Walker will be a guest on NRANews.com Monday, June 13. Linda will be discussing the upcoming committee hearing on Restaurant Carry legislation and related news with Cam & Company host Cam Edwards at 9:40 p.m.