Ohioans with concealed-carry licenses could soon carry firearms in certain public areas under House Bill 48, which passed the House Tuesday with a 68-29 vote and is now headed to the Senate for further consideration. The bill would allow concealed-carry permit holders to carry a handgun inside a daycare center and in certain public areas of airports and police stations. HB48 would also allow universities to adopt concealed-carry policies on campus and would reduce the charge of illegally carrying a handgun on campus to a misdemeanor.
Supporters of the bill said they are eliminating “victim zones” by decreasing the number of places where guns cannot be carried in the state. The bill’s sponsor, Republican Representative Ron Maag, said HB48 addresses problems with current gun laws and ensures concealed-carry license holders can carry without “undue hardships.” “It would prevent law-abiding citizens from unintended law-breaking in many circumstances,” he said.
