Bill would hide lists of gun permit-holders; governor opposedby JOHN McCARTHY
COLUMBUS, Ohio - The media would lose access to lists of concealed-weapons permit-holders and could only check with sheriffs for specific names under a bill to be introduced in the Ohio House next week, its sponsor said Wednesday.
The bill also would allow permit-holders to carry hidden guns in their cars, removing a requirement that the weapon be in plain sight or locked up, said Rep. Jim Aslanides, a Coshocton Republican who sponsored the original concealed-carry bill that Gov. Bob Taft signed last year.
Taft had threatened to veto that bill if it had contained those provisions. Although he hasn't discussed the new bill with Aslanides, the governor hasn't changed his mind, spokesman Mark Rickel said.
"Those two issues were very much concerns of his. Without the provision of allowing press access to the lists, the governor would not have signed it," Rickel said.
Jeff Garvas of Ohioans for Concealed Carry said that in the 17 months the law has been in effect, the idea has picked up enough supporters that the Legislature could override a Taft veto.
Many gun owners were upset when newspapers acquired lists of permit-holders from sheriffs and published them, Aslanides said. The owners could become victims of burglary or other robberies, he said.
"One of the main targets of criminals are handguns," Aslanides said. "We're putting people out there with handguns at risk."
The change would take transparency from the bill and would deny the public the chance to know if sheriffs are properly following the permitting process, said Frank Deaner, a lobbyist for the Ohio Newspaper Association.
"Who knows? Over time, there might be a sheriff who's taking care of particular friends, a pattern to who is getting permits and who is not," Deaner said. "This item in the law is not just a public records item, it's a public safety item."
Aslanides' bill also removes the "plain sight" language from current law, he said. Under current law, a motorist with a permit can wear a holstered gun, but it must be visible to law enforcement officers.
Another change would allow off-duty officers to carry concealed guns into any place they choose, Aslanides said. Bars, public buildings, day-care centers and certain other areas are currently off-limits to people with concealed weapons.
"The majority of the bill deals with the concerns or law enforcement. We can make the process work better and give police officers more latitude," Aslanides said. "There are no drastic changes. This is simply trying to make everybody safer."
A message seeking comment was left with Toby Hoover, executive director of the Ohio Coalition Against Gun Violence and a longtime concealed-carry opponent.
Garvas said the bill would fix some unintended consequences of Aslanides' original bill.
"We're definitely in favor of the things he's done. I cannot tell you if he's gone far enough," Garvas said.
http://www.ohio.com/mld/beaconjournal/12645903.htm.
