OFCC Statement on Senator White's announcement

We are delighted that Senator White has finally agreed to appoint Senators to the Conference Committee on HB12.

Hundreds and hundreds of Ohioans took to the streets in 'Defense' Walks over the past two weeks, asking for this very decision. Family members of Dayton carjacking victim Tony Gordon took part in a memorial 'Defense' Walk in Senator White's hometown of Manchester just days ago.

We believe the House and Senate should work together to find a compromise that can pass in both chambers, irrespective of further political threats from the governor. If Bob Taft says he'll veto, the General Assembly put the best bill possible on his desk and find out. This is a life and death matter for defenseless Ohioans, and the political games need to stop.

We look forward to quick resolution between the two versions of the bill. We are hopeful they will remove the extraneous provisions the Senate added on behalf of the governor, such as the lockbox, or carjacker protection, provision and the removal of certain affirmative defenses. We are hopeful that they will be able to craft a good piece of legislation irrespective of what the governor says he will or will not do with it.

Links to media stories on this announcement:

Cleveland Plain Dealer: Lawmakers may be closer to agreement on weapons bill

Columbus Dispatch: Concealed-carry committee named

Dayton Daily News: Ohio Senate's president to join gun-bill talks

Gannett News Service: Senate takes step to help iron out gun bill differences

NBC4Columbus.com: Movement In Legislature On Concealed Carry Bill

Ohio Public Radio: Concealed Weapons Bill Moves Closer to Reality

Toledo Blade: Procedural gap cleared on hidden-handgun bill

Click on the "Read More..." link below for the story from Gongwer News Service.

Gongwer News Service
Ohio Report
October 21, 2003

SENATE OPENS DOOR FOR NEGOTIATIONS TO BEGIN ON CONCEAL CARRY GUN LEGISLATION

The Senate took a procedural step Tuesday that signals its willingness to formally open negotiations with the House to harmonize the two chambers over controversial, long-stalled legislation that authorizes Ohioans to carry concealed weapons.

Another significant development for the bill (HB 12) Tuesday involved the decision of Senate President Doug White (R-Manchester) to name himself as one of three Senate conferees who will serve on a joint conference committee that may be named at Thursday’s Senate and House skeleton sessions. If an agreement is reached quickly, lawmakers could take up the issue next month when full sessions resume.

House Speaker Larry Householder (R-Glenford) welcomed the Senate’s decision to move forward on a proposal that has been stalled since the Senate passed it in mid-June. Although Mr. Householder said informal discussions have taken place over the summer, he pointed out that there remain “some areas that need some work.” He added that although he is hopeful an agreement can be reached, “I don’t know if anything will come of it.”

Mr. White’s decision to serve as a conferee is unusual, but not unprecedented for a top legislative leader. Maggie Mitchell, spokesperson for Senate Republicans, said Mr. White has had some conversations with the bill’s sponsor, Rep. Jim Aslanides (R-Coshocton), and believes his presence on the six-member negotiating panel might prove helpful in reaching an accord.

The Senate version of the bill was crafted to answer objections voiced by Governor Bob Taft over the House’s version that was passed by a wide margin in early March. Mr. Taft’s objections represented concerns in Ohio’s law enforcement community, including the State Highway Patrol. Mr. Householder has indicated that although the governor’s concerns merit consideration, those concerns aren’t reason enough to delay legislative work on the bill. The legislative process, he said, “shouldn’t be stymied” simply because the governor voices objections. Two major issues apparently need to be ironed out in order to produce a resolution between the House and Senate: language dealing with affirmative defense and use of a lock box for certain persons carrying weapons in vehicles.

Mr. Householder said he expects to formally name Mr. Aslanides and Rep. Robert Latta (R-Bowling Green), the chair of the House Criminal Justice Committee, as House conferees, along with Rep. Charles Wilson (D-St. Clairsville). Ms. Mitchell said Senator Scott Nein (R-Middletown) will be named a conferee; the third Senate conferee, a Democrat, is expected to be named Thursday.