Jonah Patel
On March 14, 2022, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine signed Senate Bill 215, allowing Ohio residents aged 21 and older to carry concealed firearms without a permit or training. The bill, which became effective on June 13, 2022, eliminates the requirement for gun owners to inform law enforcement officers during traffic stops that they are carrying a firearm. DeWine's decision has been praised by gun rights supporters, including the Buckeye Firearms Association and the National Rifle Association (NRA), who have applauded the protection of Second Amendment rights. However, DeWine's move has also faced criticism from gun control advocates and Democrats, who argue that it goes against his pledge to curb gun deaths and will make Ohioans less safe.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name of the Bill | Senate Bill 215 |
| Signed by | Mike DeWine, Governor of Ohio |
| Date of signing | Monday, March 16, 2022 |
| Requirements to carry a concealed gun | No permit or training required |
| Age requirement | 21 or above |
| Previous rating by NRA | F |
| Current rating by NRA | Positive |
| Criticism | Ignores gun deaths, caving to special interest groups and extremists |
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What You'll Learn
Mike DeWine's campaign promise
On March 14, 2022, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine signed a bill into law that permits Ohio residents to carry a concealed firearm without a permit. Senate Bill 215 permits individuals aged 21 or above to carry a concealed gun unless state or federal law prohibits them from doing so.
DeWine's decision has been praised by gun rights supporters, including the Buckeye Firearms Association and the National Rifle Association (NRA). DeWine had made a campaign promise to the Buckeye Firearms Association and to Ohio's 4 million gun owners that he would sign a constitutional carry bill if it were put on his desk. In fulfilling that promise, DeWine has been accused by some of caving to extremists and special interest groups, breaking his pledge to curb gun deaths, and going back on his word to take action on gun violence.
DeWine's decision to sign the bill came just days after a series of shootings in Columbus, and less than three years after a mass shooting in Dayton's Oregon District, where a gunman killed nine people. In the wake of the 2019 Dayton shooting, DeWine had unveiled a list of reforms that included background checks for most firearm purchases, harsher penalties for felons banned from having guns, and a "red flag"-like proposal to remove guns from those with mental health or violence issues. However, in the years since, DeWine has shifted his stance on gun policy, becoming more pro-Second Amendment and pro-gun.
The bill's supporters argue that it allows residents to exercise their right to carry guns without government red tape and delays and that it will make Ohioans safer by lifting restrictions on their ability to carry a concealed firearm. Opponents of the bill, including police unions and the Ohio Democratic Party, argue that it will make the state less safe and that it demonstrates DeWine's lack of commitment to combating gun violence in the state.
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Extremists and special interests
Ohio Governor Mike DeWine has been criticized for signing Senate Bill 215, which permits individuals aged 21 and above to carry a concealed firearm without a permit. This decision has been viewed as a capitulation to extremists and special interests, with Ohio Democratic Party Chair Elizabeth Walters asserting that DeWine has "sold out" Ohioans and law enforcement officers. Walters' statement emphasizes the concern that the bill will increase the vulnerability of Ohioans, particularly law enforcement, to gun violence.
The signing of the bill has sparked controversy due to its timing and DeWine's previous pledges. It comes just days after a series of shootings in Columbus, and it contradicts DeWine's promise to curb gun deaths and address the threat of gun violence. DeWine's history with gun issues has been described as "flip-flopping," as he previously supported background checks and an assault weapons ban but has since shifted to a more pro-Second Amendment stance.
The bill's passage is considered a victory for gun-rights supporters and aligns with DeWine's campaign promise to the Buckeye Firearms Association and Ohio's gun owners. However, it breaks his pledge to the mourners in Dayton, where a mass shooting occurred in 2019. DeWine's decision has been met with opposition from various groups in Ohio, including the Ohio Fraternal Order of Police and the Ohio Mayors Alliance, who share concerns about the potential impact on public safety.
The bill, also known as Ohio's permitless carry bill, eliminates the requirement for training and permits to carry a concealed firearm. It allows individuals with gun licenses to avoid proactively informing law enforcement officers about their firearms during traffic stops. Supporters of the bill argue that it upholds the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding citizens to carry concealed guns unless there is a compelling reason to prevent them from doing so. They believe that the bill removes government red tape and delays in exercising their right to carry guns.
The National Rifle Association's (NRA) Institute for Legislative Action praised DeWine's decision, expressing gratitude for his protection of the Second Amendment in Ohio. DeWine's move has transformed him from someone who once earned an "F" rating from the NRA to a figure celebrated by gun-rights advocates. The NRA's lobbying arm considers the bill a significant victory in advancing its agenda.
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Gun deaths
Ohio Governor Mike DeWine signed a bill that permits residents to carry a concealed firearm without a permit. Senate Bill 215 permits individuals aged 21 or above to carry a concealed gun unless prohibited by state or federal law. The bill also eliminates penalties for motorists who fail to inform law enforcement about carrying concealed firearms in their vehicles during traffic stops.
The signing of this bill by DeWine has been criticized by many as a breach of his pledge to curb gun deaths. The timing of the bill becoming a law is also questionable, as it comes just days after a series of shootings in Columbus within 12 hours of each other, which left two people dead and four others wounded.
Ohio has some of the weakest gun safety laws in the nation, and lawmakers continue to relax gun laws. Gun rights advocates and lobbyists downplay the link between relaxed gun laws and homicide or violent crime rates. However, public health researchers and anti-gun violence researchers have drawn links between relaxed gun policies and homicide rates. For instance, researchers with the American Journal for Public Health found that states with concealed carry laws like Ohio's were associated with an 11% increase in handgun homicide rates than those without.
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Second Amendment rights
On Monday, March 14, 2022, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine signed Senate Bill 215, allowing Ohio residents aged 21 and older to carry concealed firearms without a permit or training. The bill also eliminates penalties for motorists who fail to inform law enforcement about carrying concealed firearms in their vehicles during traffic stops.
DeWine's decision has been praised by Second Amendment advocates and the National Rifle Association (NRA), who have historically given him poor ratings. In a statement, the NRA commended DeWine for "signing this important piece of legislation that protects the Second Amendment rights of all law-abiding Buckeyes." The Buckeye Firearms Association also celebrated DeWine's decision, stating that he had fulfilled his campaign promise to them and Ohio's 4 million gun owners.
However, DeWine's decision has also faced strong criticism from gun control advocates, law enforcement officers, and Democrats. They argue that the bill will make Ohioans less safe and that DeWine has caved to special interest groups and extremists. The timing of the bill becoming law, just before DeWine's reelection campaign, has also been called into question.
The debate around Senate Bill 215 highlights the ongoing tension between Second Amendment rights and gun control in the United States. While supporters of the bill argue that it restores Second Amendment rights and makes Ohioans safer, opponents argue that lax regulations on gun ownership and carrying will lead to more gun violence and deaths.
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Public safety
On Monday, March 14, 2022, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine signed Senate Bill 215, allowing Ohio residents aged 21 and older to carry concealed firearms without a permit or training. The bill also eliminates penalties for motorists who fail to inform law enforcement about carrying concealed firearms in their vehicles during traffic stops.
The signing of this bill has sparked concerns about public safety, with critics arguing that it goes against DeWine's pledge to curb gun deaths. The bill removes the requirement for eight hours of gun training, which includes shooting practice. This means that individuals without proper training can now carry concealed firearms in public. Police unions and the Ohio Democratic Party Chair, Elizabeth Walters, have stated that the bill will make the state less safe. Walters claimed that DeWine caved to extremists in the legislature and special interest groups, breaking his promise to combat gun violence in the state.
The Fraternal Order of Police of Ohio and several county sheriffs also opposed the bill, highlighting the potential risks to public safety. Additionally, the bill was signed just days after a series of shootings in Columbus, further emphasizing the concerns about increased gun violence.
Supporters of the bill, including the Buckeye Firearms Association, argue that it upholds the Second Amendment and removes government red tape. They believe that "constitutional carry" will make Ohioans safer by lifting restrictions on their ability to carry concealed firearms. However, critics counter that the bill prioritizes political interests over the safety and well-being of constituents.
The debate surrounding Senate Bill 215 underscores the ongoing tension between gun rights and public safety concerns in Ohio and across the United States. While supporters of the bill emphasize the constitutional right to bear arms, opponents worry about the potential consequences of easing restrictions on firearm ownership and carry laws.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Mike DeWine signed the constitutional carry bill into law.
The constitutional carry bill, also known as Senate Bill 215, allows Ohio residents aged 21 and older to carry concealed firearms without a permit or training.
There was mixed reaction to Mike DeWine's signing of the constitutional carry bill. Some, like the Buckeye Firearms Association, supported the bill, while others, like the Ohio Democratic Party, accused DeWine of caving in to special interest groups and extremists.
Yes, Mike DeWine broke his pledge to curb gun deaths and to the crowd of mourners in Dayton, Ohio, after the 2019 mass shooting, to do something about gun violence.
The impact of the constitutional carry bill is debated. Supporters argue that it will make Ohioans safer by lifting restrictions on their ability to carry a concealed firearm, while opponents argue that it will make the state less safe.
