Restaurant & Car Carry Rules Fix bill (SB17) scheduled for possible vote in House committee

The House Committee on State Government and Elections, which is chaired by BFA "A" -rated Rep. Bob Mecklenborg, has scheduled a hearing on Tuesday, June 14 at 1:00 p.m. in Room 116.

The committee, which has previously passed Reps. Danny Bubp's (R) and Terry Johnson's (R) HB45 on a 12-10 vote, will hear testimony on a nearly identical bill - SB17 - before a possible vote.

Sponsored by Senator Tim Schaffer (R), SB17 will allow citizens who hold a valid concealed handgun license (CHL) to carry a firearm in restaurants, and to reduce burdensome restrictions regarding how a license holder must transport a firearm in a car. The bill was amended in the Senate to provide a way for people who were convicted of improperly transporting a firearm under the current law to receive relief if they would have been in compliance under the law as amended in SB17.

SB17 passed in the Senate on April 13 by a 25-7 majority. If it clears the House committee and is passed by the full House, it will be sent to Governor John Kasich for his signature.