Restaurant & Car Carry Rules Fix and Restoration of Rights bills scheduled for hearings in House & Senate

Both chambers of the Ohio General Assembly have scheduled hearings next week on pro-gun legislation supported by Buckeye Firearms Association.

Tuesday, February 15:

1:30 pm, Statehouse Room 116 -
The House Committee on State Government and Elections, which is chaired by BFA "A" -rated Rep. Bob Mecklenborg, will hear proponent testimony on HB45, sponsored by Representatives Danny Bubp (R-West Union) and Terry Johnson (R-McDermott). This is the bill's second hearing in the House.

4:30pm, Senate North Hearing Room -
The Senate Judiciary Committee on Criminal Justice, which is chaired by BFA "A+" -rated Sen. Tim Grendell, will hear sponsor testimony on both SB17 (sponsored by Senator Tim Schaffer [R] and SB61 (sponsored by Senator Jason Wilson [D]). This is the bills' first hearing in the Senate, which passed identical bills last session by significant margins.

Wednesday, February 16:

9:00 am, Statehouse Room 114 -
The House Committee on Criminal Justice, which is chaired by BFA "B*" -rated Rep. Lynn Slaby, will hear sponsor testimony on HB54, sponsored by Representatives Ron Maag (R-Lebanon) and Jarrod Martin (R-Beavercreek). This is the bill's first hearing in the House.

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Both HB45 and SB17 contain the language from SB239 in the 128th General Assembly. The bills seek to allow citizens who hold a valid concealed handgun license (CHL) to carry a firearm in restaurants, and to reduce burdensome restrictions regarding how a license holder must transport a firearm in a car.

Both HB54 and SB61 contain the language from SB247 in the 128th General Assembly. The bills seek to align Ohio law with federal statutes regarding the restoration of rights to Ohio firearms purchasers.

Ken Hanson, Legislative Chair of Buckeye Firearms Association, said, "These bills addresses three important issues facing Ohio gun owners and concealed carry license holders and seek to align Ohio law with federal law and the laws of our surrounding states."

Buckeye Firearms Association Chairman Jim Irvine stated, "We are pleased to see renewed efforts to refine and improve Ohio's current firearm laws. The General Assembly is considering legislation that address the most pressing issues facing those who legally own guns in Ohio. HB45 and SB17 would allow licensed citizens to carry concealed firearms in restaurants and fix burdensome car carry rules. HB54 and SB61 would align Ohio law with Federal statutes and protect citizen rights. We hope the legislature moves quickly to pass this legislation, and are encouraged by legislators' assurances that Governor Kasich will sign the bills."

For more information and the full text of the bills, visit:

Restaurant Carry:
HB45 - http://www.legislature.state.oh.us/bills.cfm?ID=129_HB_45
SB17 - http://www.legislature.state.oh.us/bills.cfm?ID=129_SB_17

Restoration of Rights:
HB54 - http://www.legislature.state.oh.us/bills.cfm?ID=129_HB_54
SB61 - http://www.legislature.state.oh.us/bills.cfm?ID=129_SB_61