Jonah Patel
On March 2, 2022, the Ohio state legislature passed Senate Bill 215, which would allow Ohioans to carry a firearm openly or concealed without a permit. The bill, which passed 57-35 on the House floor and 24-8 in the Ohio Senate, was then sent to Governor Mike DeWine's desk for a signature. DeWine, a Republican, had previously indicated his support for such legislation and had also signed a “stand your ground” bill into law in 2020. On March 20, 2022, DeWine signed the bill into law, making Ohio the 23rd constitutional carry state.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name of the bill | Senate Bill 215 |
| Date of signing | June 13, 2022 |
| Effective date | 90 days from the date of signing |
| Governor's stance | Second Amendment rights of law-abiding citizens to keep and bear arms |
| Governor's campaign promise | To Buckeye Firearms Association and Ohio's 4 million gun owners |
| Number of votes in the House | 57-35 |
| Number of votes in the Senate | 24-8 |
| Number of Constitutional Carry states in the US | 23 |
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What You'll Learn
- Mike DeWine signs the constitutional carry bill, making Ohio the 23rd state to do so
- The bill allows anyone over 21 to carry a concealed firearm without a permit or training
- DeWine's decision has been criticised for breaking a promise to reduce gun violence
- The bill eliminates penalties for motorists who don't disclose concealed firearms during traffic stops
- The Buckeye Firearms Association and NRA
Mike DeWine signs the constitutional carry bill, making Ohio the 23rd state to do so
On March 15, 2022, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine signed Senate Bill 215, making Ohio the 23rd state to pass constitutional carry legislation. The bill allows anyone over 21 who is legally eligible to own a firearm to carry a concealed weapon without a permit or license. It also removes the requirement for motorists to inform law enforcement that they are carrying a firearm during traffic stops, unless asked.
DeWine's decision has been praised by gun rights advocates, who argue that it upholds the Second Amendment right to bear arms. The National Rifle Association (NRA) expressed its gratitude to the governor for signing the bill, which it says protects the Second Amendment for law-abiding individuals. DeWine had promised the Buckeye Firearms Association and Ohio's 4 million gun owners that he would sign a constitutional carry bill if it came across his desk.
However, the bill has also faced criticism from those who argue that it will make Ohioans less safe. Opponents include the Ohio Fraternal Order of Police, Hamilton County Sheriff Charmaine McGuffey, and the Ohio Mayors Alliance. They argue that the bill will increase the vulnerability of residents and law enforcement officials to gun violence. Ohio Democratic Party Chair Elizabeth Walters claimed that DeWine's decision to sign the bill was a sign of caving to extremists in the legislature and special interests.
The timing of the bill's passage is notable, as DeWine is up for reelection this year. By signing the bill, he has fulfilled a campaign promise to gun rights supporters, who are now likely to support him in the Republican primary.
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The bill allows anyone over 21 to carry a concealed firearm without a permit or training
On June 13, 2022, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine signed a bill into law allowing Ohioans over the age of 21 to carry a concealed firearm without a permit or training. The bill, known as Senate Bill 215 or "constitutional carry," took effect 90 days after being signed into law.
Senate Bill 215 removes the requirement for Ohio residents to obtain a permit or undergo training before carrying a concealed firearm. Previously, Ohio residents were required to take eight hours of training and pass a background check to obtain a concealed carry permit. While some have praised the bill for upholding Second Amendment rights and reducing government red tape, others have criticized it for potentially making communities less safe.
Supporters of the bill argue that it aligns with the Second Amendment, which guarantees the right to bear arms, and that it removes unnecessary obstacles for law-abiding citizens who wish to carry a concealed firearm. They also claim that the bill will make Ohioans safer by lifting restrictions on their ability to protect themselves. In addition, supporters point out that the bill does not change the fact that certain individuals, such as felons or individuals with convictions for domestic abuse, are still prohibited by federal and state law from possessing firearms.
On the other hand, opponents of the bill argue that it will make Ohio more dangerous for residents and law enforcement. They are concerned that removing the permit and training requirements will allow irresponsible and dangerous individuals, including those with violent criminal histories, to carry concealed firearms. Police organizations and gun safety advocates have joined the opposition, expressing worries that less training will lead to more deaths and crimes of passion.
It is worth noting that the bill does not apply to individuals who are prohibited by state or federal law from possessing firearms. Additionally, motorists are still required to truthfully disclose to law enforcement if they have a gun in their vehicle during traffic stops.
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DeWine's decision has been criticised for breaking a promise to reduce gun violence
Ohio Governor Mike DeWine's decision to sign the constitutional carry bill into law has been criticised for breaking a promise to reduce gun violence. DeWine had previously pledged to curb gun violence and keep guns out of the hands of those with mental illnesses and those likely to commit violent crimes. However, his decision to sign the bill, which removes the requirement for training and permits to carry a concealed firearm, is seen by some as a betrayal of that promise.
The bill, known as Senate Bill 215, allows Ohio residents aged 21 and older to carry concealed firearms without a permit or training. This has sparked concerns that it will lead to more people carrying guns, potentially without adequate training, increasing the risk of gun-related incidents and deaths. DeWine's decision has been characterised as "caving to extremists in the legislature and special interests" and "prostitution to the powerful gun lobbies".
Prior to the bill's signing, DeWine had expressed support for stricter gun laws and had allocated funding towards initiatives aimed at reducing violent crime and enhancing background check systems. He had also proposed a red flag" law following the 2019 Dayton mass shooting, which left nine people dead and over a dozen injured. However, his decision to sign the constitutional carry bill into law has been viewed as a reversal of his previous stance on gun control.
DeWine's supporters, including the Buckeye Firearms Association, argue that he has fulfilled a campaign promise to support the Second Amendment and protect the rights of law-abiding citizens to carry firearms. They claim that the bill removes government red tape and delays, making it easier for residents to exercise their constitutional right to bear arms. However, critics argue that DeWine's decision prioritises political gains over public safety, especially as he is up for re-election and seeks to solidify support from gun rights advocates.
The debate surrounding DeWine's decision highlights the complex and divisive nature of gun control in the United States. While some celebrate the expansion of gun rights, others worry about the potential consequences for public safety and the ability to effectively combat gun violence.
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The bill eliminates penalties for motorists who don't disclose concealed firearms during traffic stops
On June 13, 2023, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine signed the Republican-backed Senate Bill 215, which allows Ohioans to carry a concealed firearm without a permit or training. The bill also eliminates penalties for motorists who don't disclose concealed firearms during traffic stops.
Previously, in Ohio, motorists were required to "promptly" notify an officer if they had a gun with them during a traffic stop. Failure to do so was considered a first-degree misdemeanor, punishable by up to six months in jail, a $1,000 fine, and suspension of their concealed-handgun license. With the passing of SB215, this penalty has been eliminated. Now, motorists in Ohio are only required to disclose that they have a firearm if explicitly asked by a law enforcement officer.
Supporters of the bill argue that it aligns with the Second Amendment, which grants law-abiding citizens the right to carry concealed firearms. They also believe that it allows Ohioans to exercise their right to carry guns without dealing with government bureaucracy. Additionally, supporters argue that similar laws exist in other states, and that the U.S. and Ohio constitutions guarantee the right to bear arms without mentioning training requirements.
Opponents of the bill, including law enforcement organizations and gun control advocates, argue that it will make Ohio more dangerous for residents and law enforcement. They worry that less training will lead to increased gun violence and crimes of passion. Some also believe that DeWine's decision to sign the bill is politically motivated, especially considering his previous stance on gun control and the timing of the bill's passage before his reelection campaign.
While opinions vary on the impact of eliminating the penalty for not disclosing concealed firearms during traffic stops, it is clear that SB215 significantly alters the landscape of gun laws in Ohio. Only time will tell what effects these changes will have on the safety and well-being of Ohio's residents.
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The Buckeye Firearms Association and NRA support the bill
The Buckeye Firearms Association and the National Rifle Association (NRA) have both expressed support for Ohio's Senate Bill 215, which allows for constitutional carry in the state. The Buckeye Firearms Association is a grassroots organisation dedicated to defending and advancing the right of citizens to own and use firearms for all legal activities, including self-defence, hunting, competition, and recreation.
Dean Rieck, executive director of the Buckeye Firearms Association, noted that Gov. Mike DeWine had fulfilled a campaign promise to the association and to Ohio's 4 million gun owners by signing the bill. Rieck also highlighted the importance of the bill in protecting the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding individuals in Ohio.
The NRA, through its lobbying arm, the Institute for Legislative Action (ILA), has also expressed gratitude towards Gov. DeWine for signing the bill. The ILA is responsible for preserving the right of law-abiding individuals to purchase, possess, and use firearms for legitimate purposes as guaranteed by the Second Amendment.
The Buckeye Firearms Association and the NRA have both advocated for similar gun rights legislation in the past. For example, the Buckeye Firearms Association has supported National Right-to-Carry Reciprocity Legislation, which aims to respect the rights of individuals with concealed carry permits from their home state to exercise those rights in other states that do not prohibit concealed carry. The NRA has also supported such legislation and worked to increase cosponsorship for these bills.
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Frequently asked questions
The constitutional carry bill, also known as Senate Bill 215, was passed by the Ohio state legislature on March 2, 2022, and was then sent to Governor DeWine for his signature. DeWine signed the bill into law on June 13, 2022.
The constitutional carry bill, or SB215, removes the requirement for a permit or training to carry a concealed firearm in the state of Ohio. It also eliminates penalties for motorists who fail to inform law enforcement about carrying concealed firearms during traffic stops.
The bill has been celebrated by gun rights advocates and the National Rifle Association (NRA) as a victory for the Second Amendment. However, it has also faced strong opposition from gun control advocates, law enforcement officers, and politicians who argue that it will make communities and law enforcement less safe.
