SB 214 passed the Statehouse. The House passed it 69 to 27, the Senate agreed to the House changes 21 to 9, and it goes to Governor DeWine next. It takes suppressors and short barreled rifles and shotguns off Ohio’s dangerous ordnance list.
But SB 214 doesn’t do one thing for carry. That’s the Freedom to Carry Act, and it’s the next fight.
The Freedom to Carry Act says if you can legally own it, you can legally carry it. Your right to carry comes from God, not a permit office. Here’s what it still has to win:
- Carry beyond handguns. Law abiding adults can carry concealed the weapon they lawfully have, not just a handgun, and the concealed handgun license becomes a real Concealed Weapons License.
- Permitless carry at 18. The permitless carry age drops from 21 to 18.
- Loaded guns in your vehicle or boat. It repeals the loaded and accessible bans and the unloading rules.
- No more paper criminals. Carrying concealed in an unauthorized place drops to a minor misdemeanor.
- Any county sheriff. You can get your license from any county sheriff, not just your own county or the one next door.
- Stronger statewide preemption. It extends to deadly weapons and to firearm accessories and attachments.
Here’s where it’s stuck. On June 10, 42 House Republicans, including Speaker Matt Huffman, joined every Democrat to table the Freedom to Carry Act, and the House still hasn’t given it an up or down vote. In the Senate, it’s been sitting in Chairwoman Kristina Roegner’s General Government Committee since March 25. It got one sponsor hearing on May 20 and has gone without a vote ever since.
Lame duck ends at sine die on December 31. If the Freedom to Carry Act doesn’t pass by then, it dies. And on January 11, Amy Acton takes office as governor with the veto pen.
Use the form below to email your State Representative and State Senator right now. Tell them to bring the Freedom to Carry Act up for an up or down vote and pass it before lame duck ends.
For Freedom,
Chris Dorr, Director