Gannett News: Gov. Taft at work to avoid veto of gun bill

By JIM SIEGEL
Gannett News Service

December 18, 2003

COLUMBUS -- One week after promising to veto the bill allowing Ohioans to carry concealed weapons, Gov. Bob Taft now says he hopes that will not happen.

On Wednesday, Taft said his office is negotiating with the Ohio House to develop a new bill that would address his concerns regarding the openness of concealed-carry permitting records.

The House and Senate passed a bill last week that requires county sheriffs to issue concealed handgun permits to anyone over age 21 who passes a criminal background check, is mentally competent and completes firearm training.

But Taft said he would veto the measure because it does not go far enough to ensure the public has access to permitting records. The bill allows journalists to view the records, but only for the specific names they request.

The Senate agreed to go along with Taft's request, but the House would not.

"I don't know why it didn't work before," Taft said of his attempts to reach an agreement with the House. "I just know there are some indications they would try to work with us now."

House Speaker Larry Householder, R-Glenford, and others in his caucus indicated they were not willing to open up the names of permit holders to the public, saying it goes against the intent of carrying hidden weapons.

On Wednesday, Dwight Crum, spokesman for Householder, would only say that the speaker continues to work to get the bill passed, declining to comment on the likelihood of an agreement.

Under Taft's scenario, the House and Senate would pass a new bill that deals only with public records issues -- superceding the language in the bill passed last week. Then, Taft said he would sign both bills.

"I'm hopeful we can work out an agreement with the House along the same lines that we have an agreement with the Senate on the public records issue," Taft said. "There are discussions at the staff level regarding that goal."

But Rep. Jim Aslanides, R-Coshocton, who sponsored the bill, said the House may be willing to revisit the public records issue in the future, but said there's a "good chance" no deal will be worked out, and Taft will veto the gun bill.

"I believe the governor doesn't want the bill, but this is a situation where the House and Senate are united," he said.

Aslanides said the provision allowing journalists to check specific names goes far enough to ensure accountability in the system. If it were opened further, allowing reporters to get entire county lists, "the House feels the press would abuse the privilege and print the names unfairly," he said.

"To add that names could be printed in the press, in addition to all the other roadblocks (in the bill), is too much," Aslanides said.

The gun bill has not yet arrived on Taft's desk, as it awaits a final signature from Householder and White. Once it does, he has 10 days to sign it, veto it, or let it become law without his signature.

"If we can't work out the language on public records, then we will veto and work to sustain that veto," Taft said.

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