SB239 (Restaurant/Car Carry) & SB247 (Restoration of Rights) scheduled for proponent testimony in Senate committee

3:07pm Thursday, April 22, 2010

The Senate Judiciary on Criminal Justice Committee, chaired by Sen. Tim Grendell (R-18), has scheduled a hearing on Wednesday, April 28 at 10:15 AM in the Senate Building's South Hearing Room.

The committee will hear further proponent testimony on SB239, sponsored by Senator Shannon Jones and Senator Tim Schaffer 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. This will be the third hearing for SB239.

The committee will also hold its first hearing for SB247, which will align Ohio law with federal statutes regarding the restoration of rights to Ohio firearms purchasers. Both sponsor and proponent testimony will be offered on the bill, which is co-sponsored by Sens. Niehaus, Cafaro, Grendell, Buehrer, Coughlin and Seitz.

Buckeye Firearms Association Chairman Jim Irvine stated, "We are pleased to see bi-partisan efforts to refine and improve Ohio's current firearm laws. The Senate has two bills that address the most pressing issues facing those who legally own guns in Ohio. SB239 would allow licensed citizens to carry concealed firearms in restaurants and fix burdensome car carry rules. SB247 would align Ohio law with Federal statutes and protect citizen rights. We hope the legislature moves quickly to pass both."

Buckeye Firearms Association is calling on the Ohio Senate to quickly move these bills through the legislative process and send them to the House.

This Senate committee had its first hearing on SB239 in March, and held a second hearing on April 14. The House has already held several hearings on HB203, which also seeks to allow license-holders to carry in restaurants.

For the full text of the SB239, visit:
http://www.legislature.state.oh.us/bills.cfm?ID=128_SB_239

For more information and the full text of the SB247, visit:
http://www.legislature.state.oh.us/bills.cfm?ID=128_SB_247

Please contact the members of the Senate Judiciary - Criminal Justice Committee TODAY and respectfully urge them to support SB239 and SB247.
Contact information for the committee can be found below.

State Senator Tim Grendell (R-18), Chair
(614) 644-7718
SD18@senate.state.oh.us

State Senator Jim Hughes (R-16), Vice Chair
(614) 466-5981
SD16@senate.state.oh.us

State Senator Nina Turner (D-25)
(614) 466-4583
SD25@maild.sen.state.oh.us

State Senator Kevin Coughlin (R-27)
(614) 466-4823
SD27@senate.state.oh.us

State Senator Keith Faber (R-12)
(614) 466-7584
SD12@senate.state.oh.us

State Senator David Goodman (R-3)
(614) 466-8064
SD03@senate.state.oh.us

State Senator Joe Schiavoni (D-33)
(614) 466-8285
SD33@maild.sen.state.oh.us

State Senator Bill Seitz (R-8)
(614) 466-8068
SD08@senate.state.oh.us

State Senator Shirley Smith (D-21)
(614) 466-4857
SD21@maild.sen.state.oh.us