Representative Wiggam introduces HB142 (Repeal LEO notification)

State Rep. Scott Wiggam (R-Wooster) has introduced a bill which seeks to reform, or "de-Taft," another portion of Ohio's concealed carry law.

House Bill 142 seeks to repeal requirements that, when detained for a law-enforcement purpose, a concealed carry licensee must "promptly inform" an approaching law enforcement officer that the licensee is a licensee and is carrying a concealed handgun.

In 2015, a study by ConcealedNation.org revealed that Ohio was in a vast minority of states that makes such a requirement of concealed handgun license-holders.

The idea for repealing the notification provision has been the subject of frequent discussion since June 2011, when Canton police officer Daniel Harless was caught on dash cam video threatening to execute a concealed carry licensee because he felt notification did not happen in time.

The case against the CHL-holder was eventually thrown out of court, and his civil rights suit against the City of Canton was settled out of court.

Harless was fired. He later tried to get his job back, and eventually was given $40,000 from the city, a neutral employment recommendation and a retired-officer ID in exchange for his resignation.

The notification provision isn't just objectionable because of this one case. This author has often told the story of the time when I was witness to an injury car accident and stopped to render first aid. Upon law enforcement arrival (several officers, one at a time, over the course of several minutes), I was forced to stop rendering aid to repeatedly inform each new officer on the scene of the fact that I was carrying, since I was a witness to the accident and being detained for a law enforcement purpose. One officer, finally recognizing the stupidity of my legal obligation, told me he would make sure anyone else who arrived knew.

The most recent attempt to remove the duty to promptly inform was introduced by Reps. Ron Maag and Andy Thompson back in 2011. Republicans in control of the legislature failed to move the bill.

HB 142 is co-sponsored by Representatives Becker, Brinkman, Conditt, Dean, Goodman, Hood, Keller, Kick, Koehler, Lipps, Merrin, Roegner, Seitz, Thompson, and Vitale.

Click here to read the entire bill.

Chad D. Baus is the Buckeye Firearms Association Secretary, BFA PAC Vice Chairman, and an NRA-certified firearms instructor. He is the editor of BuckeyeFirearms.org, which received the Outdoor Writers of Ohio 2013 Supporting Member Award for Best Website.

Additional Information:

No need to tell police about concealed guns, Ohio Republicans propose