Malcolm Rivera
On March 16, 2022, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine signed Senate Bill 215, also known as the Constitutional Carry bill, into law. The bill removes the requirement for permits and training for carrying concealed weapons in the state of Ohio. Governor DeWine's decision has been praised by Second Amendment supporters and the National Rifle Association (NRA) but has also faced criticism from gun control advocates and law enforcement organizations who argue that it will make communities less safe. The law went into effect on June 13, 2022, making Ohio the 23rd constitutional carry state in the US.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name of the bill | Senate Bill 215 |
| Date signed into law | 16 March 2022 |
| Effective date | 13 June 2022 |
| Signed by | Governor Mike DeWine |
| State | Ohio |
| Eliminates | Requirement for a permit to carry a concealed weapon |
| Requirement to notify law enforcement about carrying a concealed weapon | |
| Requirement for gun training | |
| Opposition | Police unions |
| Fraternal Order of Police Capital City Lodge #9 | |
| Ohio Fraternal Order of Police | |
| Hamilton County Sheriff Charmaine McGuffey | |
| Ohio Mayors Alliance | |
| Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America | |
| Support | National Rifle Association |
| Buckeye Firearms Association |
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- Ohio becomes the
- The bill
- history-of-flip-flopping-on-gun-issues'>Governor DeWine's
Ohio becomes the constitutional carry state
On March 14, 2022, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine signed Senate Bill 215, making Ohio the 23rd constitutional carry state. The bill, which took effect on June 13, 2022, allows Ohio residents 21 and older to carry concealed firearms without a permit or training.
Previously, Ohio residents were required to undergo training and obtain a license to carry a concealed firearm. The new law eliminates these requirements, allowing “qualifying adults” to carry concealed handguns without a special license. The bill also eliminates penalties for motorists who fail to inform law enforcement about carrying concealed firearms in their vehicles during traffic stops. However, drivers must still inform the officer if they are carrying a gun when asked.
The decision by Governor DeWine has been met with mixed reactions. Supporters of the bill argue that it protects the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding citizens to keep and bear arms. The Buckeye Firearms Association and the National Rifle Association (NRA) have praised the governor for signing the bill. On the other hand, opponents of the bill, including police organizations and gun control groups, argue that it will make communities less safe by reducing the amount of training and regulation for gun carriers. They also point out that the timing of the bill becoming law, just days after a spate of shootings in Columbus, is concerning.
Despite the controversy, Governor DeWine has defended his decision, citing similar laws in other states and arguing that it is consistent with the United States Constitution. He has also stated that the new law does not apply to individuals prohibited under federal or state law from possessing firearms. Nonetheless, the bill has sparked debates about gun control and public safety in Ohio and across the country.
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SB215 eliminates penalties for motorists who fail to inform law enforcement about carrying concealed firearms
On March 20, 2022, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine signed Senate Bill 215 into law, making Ohio the 23rd constitutional carry state. The bill allows Ohio residents aged 21 and older to carry concealed firearms without training, permits, or a special license.
SB215 eliminates penalties for motorists who fail to inform law enforcement officers about carrying concealed firearms in their vehicles during traffic stops. Previously, drivers had to face a first-degree misdemeanor, suspension of their concealed-handgun license, and a fine of $1,000 if they failed to disclose the presence of a concealed gun. With the new law, motorists are no longer required to proactively disclose the presence of a concealed firearm during a traffic stop. However, they must still truthfully inform the officer if asked directly about the presence of a gun in their vehicle.
The bill was supported by gun rights advocates and the National Rifle Association (NRA), who argued that it protected the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding citizens. They claimed that the bill allowed residents to exercise their right to carry guns without government delays or red tape. Dean Rieck, executive director of the Buckeye Firearms Association, stated that DeWine fulfilled his campaign promise to sign a constitutional carry bill.
However, SB215 faced opposition from several quarters, including police organizations, the Ohio Fraternal Order of Police, and the Ohio Mayors Alliance. Opponents argued that reducing training requirements would make communities less safe and increase the vulnerability of Ohioans and law enforcement officials to gun violence. Hamilton County Sheriff Charmaine McGuffey, one of the opponents of the bill, expressed concerns about the potential impact on public safety.
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The bill scraps required permits and training for carriers of concealed weapons
On March 16, 2022, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine signed Senate Bill 215, which scraps required permits and training for carriers of concealed weapons. The bill allows Ohio residents 21 and older to carry concealed firearms without a permit or training. Previously, Ohio residents were required to apply, pay fees, and take training courses to obtain a concealed carry license.
The bill was supported by the National Rifle Association (NRA) and the Buckeye Firearms Association, who argued that it protected the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding citizens. However, it was opposed by several law enforcement organizations, including the Fraternal Order of Police, who argued that it would make communities less safe.
The bill eliminates the requirement for motorists to inform law enforcement officers about carrying concealed firearms in their vehicles during traffic stops. This was previously a misdemeanor offense, punishable by a fine of up to $1,000 and the suspension of the individual's concealed-handgun license.
The bill also removes the requirement for individuals to "promptly" notify police officers that they are carrying a concealed weapon. This has raised concerns among law enforcement officials, who argue that it could put officers in peril.
The timing of the bill's signing into law has been noted, as Governor DeWine is up for reelection this year, and it could be seen as a move to gain support from gun-rights supporters, especially in the Republican primary.
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history-of-flip-flopping-on-gun-issues'>Governor DeWine's history of flip-flopping on gun issues
Governor Mike DeWine of Ohio has a history of flip-flopping on gun issues. While in Congress, DeWine supported background checks at gun shows and an assault weapons ban. In 1999, he supported an amendment to enact a waiting period on sales at gun shows following the Columbine High School shooting. A Columbus Dispatch article from 2002 praised DeWine, then a U.S. senator, as a "Republican who's not afraid to stand up to the National Rifle Association."
However, DeWine's stance began to shift in the following years. By 2012, he supported efforts to arm teachers after the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting. He also took several stances in favour of gun rights while serving as attorney general, including supporting legislation in Congress and the Ohio Legislature, and signing onto amicus briefs before the U.S. Supreme Court. In 2012, he supported the National Right-to-Carry Reciprocity Act, which allowed individuals with valid state-issued concealed firearm permits to carry those firearms in other states.
DeWine's grades from the NRA reflect this shift. He received failing grades from the NRA in 2000, 2006, and 2010, but by 2014, he had earned the support of the Buckeye Firearms Association, which endorsed his re-election. By 2018, he had also earned the endorsement of the NRA, which praised his signing of the stand your ground and permitless carry gun bills.
Most recently, DeWine signed Senate Bill 215, which eliminates the requirement for Ohio residents over 21 to obtain training or permits before concealing firearms they are legally allowed to own. This move has been criticised by some as a betrayal of his pledge to curb gun deaths and mitigate gun violence.
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Opponents argue the bill will increase the vulnerability of Ohioans and law enforcement officials to gun violence
Ohio Governor Mike DeWine signed Senate Bill 215 into law on Monday, March 20, 2022, allowing Ohio residents 21 and older to conceal firearms without training or a permit. The bill eliminates penalties for motorists who fail to inform law enforcement officers about carrying concealed firearms in their vehicles during traffic stops.
Opponents of the bill argue that it will increase the vulnerability of Ohioans and law enforcement officials to gun violence. They claim that the bill, which removes requirements for training and permits, will make communities less safe. Police organizations and other opponents worry that less training will mean more people carrying guns without adequate preparation, potentially leading to an increase in gun-related incidents and deaths.
The bill was opposed by several law enforcement and government entities, including the Ohio Fraternal Order of Police, Hamilton County Sheriff Charmaine McGuffey, and the Ohio Mayors Alliance. These opponents argue that the bill undermines efforts to maintain public safety and protect citizens from gun violence. They believe that the removal of penalties for failing to disclose concealed firearms during traffic stops makes it more challenging for law enforcement to effectively do their jobs and keep both themselves and the community safe from potential gun-related incidents.
Additionally, critics argue that the bill's timing, coinciding with DeWine's reelection campaign, indicates a political motive to gain support from gun-rights advocates. They assert that Governor DeWine prioritized political interests over his pledge to address gun violence and keep his constituents safe.
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Frequently asked questions
Governor DeWine signed the constitutional carry bill, also known as Senate Bill 215, into law on March 16, 2022.
The bill removes the requirement for Ohio residents over the age of 21 to obtain a permit or license to carry a concealed weapon. It also eliminates the need for gun owners to undergo training and notify police officers that they are carrying a weapon.
The bill has been praised by gun rights supporters and groups such as the Buckeye Firearms Association and the National Rifle Association (NRA). However, it has been criticized by gun control advocates, law enforcement organizations, and politicians who argue that it will make communities less safe.
Governor DeWine, a Republican, has a history of supporting the Second Amendment and gun rights. He also made a campaign promise to sign a constitutional carry bill if it was presented to him.
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