Rep. Ron Maag introduces legislation to eliminate many 'no-guns' victim zones

by Chad D. Baus

The Cincinnati Enquirer is reporting that Ohioans would be able to carry concealed guns in churches, daycares, private airplanes and government buildings under House Bill 231, legislation introduced by Rep. Ron Maag, R-Lebanon. The bill would also allow college campuses to permit concealed guns on their campuses if they choose to.

From the article:

"These are reasonable, practical changes to gun laws in this state," Maag said in a statement. "The aim is to close loopholes in concealed carry regulations and ensure that those legally permitted to possess a weapon are able to exercise their Second Amendment right."

Maag's statement references "unarmed victim zones," used to imply that people risk becoming a victim of a crime when they are required to leave weapons at home.

Maag's bill will next wait for a hearing in House committee, a standard practice for all bills introduced early enough in the session. The General Assembly is on summer break until September.

According to a New York Daily News report, with a single exception, every multiple-victim public shooting in the U.S. in which more than three people have been killed since at least 1950 has taken place where citizens are not allowed to carry their own firearms.

It is time to stop enforcing these 'no-guns' victim zones and give people back their constitutional right to bear arms for self-defense.

Click here to read the bill in its entirety.

Chad D. Baus is the Buckeye Firearms Association Vice Chairman.