Ohio's Restaurant & Car Carry Rules Fix (HB45) and Restoration of Rights legislation (HB54) scheduled for vote in House

by Chad D. Baus

Ohio House Speaker Bill Batchelder (R) has scheduled two pieces of pro-gun legislation for a vote in the House on Wednesday afternoon, May 11.

The action comes a month after the Ohio Senate passed SB17 (Restaurant & Car Carry Rules Fix) by a 25-7 margin, and SB61 (Restoration of Rights) by a 27-5 margin, and follows weeks of intense grassroots activism by Buckeye Firearms Association, the National Rifle Association, and the Ohio Liberty Council.

Last month, Batchelder made news when he said that his 59-vote Republican caucus was unable to muster the 50 votes necessary for passage of this important pro-gun legislation. While surveys filled out by legislative candidates last year indicate there is majority support in the House, sources inside the Statehouse have said some Republican representatives have been considering going back on the promise they made to constituents in the 2010 campaign, just as Democrat Matt Lundy did when he lied on his 2010 candidate survey by promising to vote for the legislation in order to win a good grade and an endorsement, only to reverse course within weeks after being in office.

Buckeye Firearms Association has been pressing for a vote, so that, as BFA's Linda Walker recently told the Ohio News Network, "if it doesn't pass, we'll know which representative[s] will not get our support next year with endorsements."

Click here to view the action on the House floor beginning at 1:30pm on Wednesday, May 11.

Contact your Representative TODAY and say you expect a YES vote for HB45 (Restaurant Carry) and HB54 (Restoration of Rights).

CLICK HERE to go to our Action Center.

Media Coverage:
Associated Press - Ohio House to vote on allowing weapons in bars

The Dayton Daily-News - House vote now expected Wednesday on "guns in bars" bill

WBNS (CBS Columbus) - Ohio House To Vote On Bill Allowing Guns In Bars