State law in Ohio currently stipulates that a person found carrying a firearm in a designated “gun-free” zone can be charged with a felony. On July 6, the House of Representatives approved HB 233, a bill aiming to “de-criminalize” such zones for law-abiding gun owners, by a vote of 65-31.
NRA-ILA reports that HB 233 provides for holders of concealed-carry licenses and qualified members of the military to be removed from the property if found to be in violation of a “gun-free” zone, but not to be charged with a criminal offense. If they refuse to leave or are found carrying a concealed firearm in a prohibited area again within 30 days, they can be charged with disorderly conduct, a misdemeanor offense.
The bill will now move to the Ohio Senate for further consideration.
