Weapons bill may change to gain backing Taft opposes proposals without police support

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Weapons bill may change to gain backing Taft opposes proposals without police support By Laura A. Bischoff e-mail address: laura_bischoff@coxohio.comColumbus Bureau COLUMBUS | Ohio lawmakers this fall will likely rework a bill that would allow Ohioans to carry concealed weapons in an effort to gain more support.A substitute bill that could address law enforcement worries about training and background checks may be introduced by the end of the month, said Laurie Peacock, an aide to state Rep. Ann Womer Benjamin, R-Aurora, who heads the subcommittee handling the bill.Gov. Bob Taft will veto any concealed-carry bill that lacks support from the law enforcement community, Taft spokeswoman Mary Anne Sharkey said.Fraternal Order of Police spokesman Mike Taylor said his group opposes the current bill. The FOP would take a neutral position if the substitute bill beefs up training requirements and prohibits convicted criminals from holding permits, Taylor said.The Buckeye Sheriffs Association supports the current bill while the Ohio Highway Patrol and Ohio Association of Chiefs of Police oppose it.Patrol spokesman Lt. John Born said the legislation would make it more dangerous for officers making traffic stops and perhaps lead to more violent cases of road rage."If (House Bill) 274 passes, we'll have at least 200,000 more guns in cars and on people," he said.Ohioans are allowed to carry unconcealed guns, which is a better deterrent to crime than hidden ones, Born said.Born criticized the current bill, saying it does not require enough training. While it would prohibit guns in schools and airports, it would allow permit holders to carry guns into bars and day-care centers, Born said.The highway patrol, FOP and other police groups have yet to formally testify on the bill. But Womer Benjamin's subcommittee has heard from 75 witnesses - about 50 of whom oppose the bill, Peacock said. And an Ohio Poll conducted in April indicates 69 percent of Ohioans oppose legislation to make it easier for residents to get permits to carry concealed handguns in public.Meanwhile, Ohioans for Concealed Carry Inc., a gun-rights group, opposes the current version of House Bill 274. The group favors a different bill, which is stalled, that has fewer restrictions on who may carry a concealed weapon and where they may do so.House Bill 274 would require county sheriffs to process permit applications, including conducting criminal background checks. To be eligible for a permit, applicants would have to be at least 21 years old, an Ohio resident for at least 60 days, have no felony convictions nor have any violent misdemeanor convictions within the past three years.Permits would be good for four years.Concealed weapons would not be allowed in police stations, jails, courthouses, airports or schools, according to the current bill. Firearms training would be required for applicants, except those who have served in the military, hold a hunting license or have participated in shooting competitions. Contact Laura Bischoff at 614-224-1624 or laura_bischoff@coxohio.com[From the Dayton Daily News: 09.03.2001]