Cleveland Plain Dealer: Senate/ Taft lock up concealed weapons bill
Legislation legalizing concealed handguns for most Ohioans was caught yesterday in a political crossfire.
Senate Civil Justice Committee Chairman Jeff Jacobson announced early in the day that the concealed-weapons bill won't be ready until next week, rather than today.
The seemingly minor delay had big political consequences: The House, which must take one more vote on the bill, was scheduled to close its session Friday.
House Republicans are resistant to extending their session to vote on the gun bill.
Though Republicans rule both chambers, they have not coordinated their legislative efforts on the concealed-weapons bill - and seem baffled by what their Republican governor may yet decide about a veto. Some said the Senate was holding several outstanding House bills hostage to force the vote.
Taft, meanwhile, refused to commit any support "until he sees the final version of the bill," said spokesman Joe Andrews.
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