Representative Uecker introduces HB571: Parking Lot Ban Exemption

Representative Joe Uecker (R-66) has introduced House Bill 571, which seeks to "permit a concealed carry licensee who is an employee of a private employer to store the employee's handgun in a locked motor vehicle parked on premises owned or leased by the employer."

What follows is the pertinent language from the bill, with the proposed language underlined:

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF OHIO:

Sec. 2923.126.

(C)(1) Nothing(a) Except as provided in division (C)(1)(b) of this section, nothing in this section shall negate or restrict a rule, policy, or practice of a private employer that is not a private college, university, or other institution of higher education concerning or prohibiting the presence of firearms on the private employer's premises or property, including motor vehicles owned by the private employer. Nothing in this section shall require a private employer of that nature to adopt a rule, policy, or practice concerning or prohibiting the presence of firearms on the private employer's premises or property, including motor vehicles owned by the private employer.

(b) A private employer shall not prohibit an employee of that private employer who has been issued a valid license to carry a concealed handgun from storing the employee's handgun in the employee's personal locked motor vehicle that is parked on any premises owned or leased by the employer.

(3)(a) Except as provided in division divisions (C)(1)(b) and (C)(3)(b) of this section, the owner or person in control of private land or premises, and a private person or entity leasing land or premises owned by the state, the United States, or a political subdivision of the state or the United States, may post a sign in a conspicuous location on that land or on those premises prohibiting persons from carrying firearms or concealed firearms on or onto that land or those premises. Except as otherwise provided in this division, a person who knowingly violates a posted prohibition of that nature is guilty of criminal trespass in violation of division (A)(4) of section 2911.21 of the Revised Code and is guilty of a misdemeanor of the fourth degree. If a person knowingly violates a posted prohibition of that nature and the posted land or premises primarily was a parking lot or other parking facility, the person is not guilty of criminal trespass in violation of division (A)(4) of section 2911.21 of the Revised Code and instead is subject only to a civil cause of action for trespass based on the violation.

The bill is co-sponsored by Reps. Adams, J., Adams, R., Beck, Blair, Boose, Bubp, Combs, Derickson, Dyer, Garland, Goodwin, Grossman, Hall, Jordan, Maag, Martin, Mecklenborg, Morgan, O'Farrell, Okey, Patten, Phillips, Pillich, Ruhl, Sears, Snitchler, Stebelton, Wachtmann, Wagner and Zehringer.

The effort to restore the right to bear arms for self defense to Ohio workers is bound to be met with excitement by gun owners across the Buckeye State. Unfortunately, given that the General Assembly is expected to be in recess until after the elections in November, the amount of time left in the 2010 legislative session can be measured in days, rather than weeks or months.

When contacting your state representative about this proposed legislation, please also remind them that pro-gun voters are expecting them to act on two pro-gun bills that have already passed by super majorities in the Senate - SB239 (Restaurant & Car Carry Rules Fix) and SB247 (Restoration of Rights).

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