Senate overrides Governor's Veto of HB347 21-12

-----> VOTE TALLIES

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

On December 12, 2006, the Ohio Senate voted to override Governor Taft's veto of HB347 by a vote of 21-12. The House previously voted 71-21 to override Governor Taft's veto. House Bill 347 has now passed into law with an effective date in approximately 90 days, depending upon the exact filing and certification dates. This vote to marks the first joint override of an Ohio Governor's veto in almost 30 years.

"We are gratified that the General Assembly recognized that Governor Taft and a few mayors were playing politics with important firearm law reforms. We recognize this was a difficult step, but the fact that so many voted for this bill and obtained the first veto override in nearly 3 decades demonstrates just how out of touch the Governor and a few big city mayors really are," said Buckeye Firearms Chairman James Irvine. "Those opposed can look at the vote of a super majority and try and explain it away, but the cold, hard conclusion to be drawn is that Ohioans recognize gun control as the failure it is and understand that there is nothing to fear from trained, law abiding citizens being armed."

"Cities are out of the firearm regulation business" said Buckeye Firearms Association Legislative Chair Ken Hanson. "As an attorney who litigates firearm rights cases and who also represents and has represented Municipalities, I can say that the mandatory attorney fee provision is a "big stick." Tax payers are not going to be happy if their elected representatives have to pay $50,000 in attorney fees over futile attempts to continue enforce worthless local ordinances.

Pictured celebrating the veto override, from left to right: BFA Volunteer Clint Lake, BFA Volunteer Jim Wilson, NRA-ILA OH State Liasion John Hohenwarter, Rep. Jim Aslanides, BFA Region Leader Steve Loos, BFA Chairman Jim Irvine, BFA Volunteer Mark Noble, BFA Legislative Chair Ken Hanson, BFA Region Leader Rick Jones, and BFA Region Leader Linda Walker.

This monumental accomplishment could not have been made without the hard work and dedication of many people who deserve our thanks.

Representative Aslanides who introduced this legislation has been a tireless fighter for the Second Amendment. Chairman Bob Latta who improved on the original bill and passed an excellent bill out of his House committee. Senator Joy Padgett and Chairman Jim Jordan who have been working on HB347 in the Senate for months and have continued to improve the car carry restrictions so that women will be able to carry in their purse. And every legislator who followed their oath of office and voted to override Governor Taft's veto of HB347.

Special recognition must be given to House Speaker Jon Husted and Senate President Bill Harris. Without their strong and decisive leadership, today would not have been a success.

And of course, thanks to all of our supporters. You are the engine that drives the machine. Your involvement has given the legislature the understanding, and the strength needed to take this historic action today.

We salute all of our friends who have made this great day possible.