[SaltyDog]

Fellow Ohioans

Although we get great support for our 2nd Amendment Rights from our legislators, it seems we are one of a few States that do not allow Conceal Carry in restaurants that serve liquor. Check out this thread Bruce 333 posted http://www.handgunforum.net/showthread.php?t=20589

I have sent off the following letter to my State Senator and Representative to see if we cannot get this changed. If you'd like to join me that would be great - the more the better. I posted the letter and you are most welcome to use any part of it you wish.

I'll post updates as they come in.

It has come to my attention that Ohio is one of but a handful of States that do not allow the carrying of a concealed weapon by a legal conceal carry permit holder in restaurants that serve alcohol.

From the Ohio AG Conceal Carry law we are banned from carrying a concealed weapon where:

• Licensed D-Liquor Permit premises in which any person is consuming liquor.

Concealed firearms are banned in premises for which a D permit has been issued or in an open air arena for which a permit of that nature has been issued. There are some exceptions to this prohibition. The prohibition does not apply to principal holder of D permit as long as principal holder is not consuming liquor.
13
The prohibition does not apply to an agent or employee of the principal holder who is also a peace officer who is also off duty.
Possession of a concealed firearm is allowed in a retail store with a D-6 or D-8 permit as long as concealed carry license holder is not consuming liquor. Class D permits are generally issued to an establishment that sells alcohol for consumption on the premises.
In any event, be certain of the type of permit and whether liquor is being consumed before you enter with a concealed handgun.

The States of Tennessee and Arizona have recently amended their Conceal Carry Revised Statutes to allow the legal Conceal Carry permit holders to enter into restaurants that serve liquor. This is an example of the Arizona Senate Bill 1113 to be signed by their Governor

A. A person with a permit issued pursuant to section 13-3112 or who meets the criteria specified in section 13 3102, subsection D, paragraph 1 or 2 may carry a concealed handgun on the premises of a licensee who is an on site retailer that offers for sale food for on site consumption prepared in a kitchen located on the premises unless the licensee posts a sign at the primary entrance to the licensed premises or at the primary entrances of the licensed premises that clearly prohibits the possession of weapons on the licensed premises. The sign or signs shall conform to the following requirements:
1. Be posted in a conspicuous location.
2. Contain a pictogram that shows a firearm within a red circle and a diagonal red line across the firearm.
3. Contain the words, "no firearms allowed pursuant to A.R.S. section 4 229".
B. The department of liquor licenses and control shall prepare the signs required by this section and make them available at no cost to licensees.
C. The signs required by this section shall be composed of block, capital letters printed in black on white laminated paper at a minimum weight of one hundred ten pound index. The lettering and pictogram shall consume a space at least six inches by nine inches. The letters comprising the wordS "No firearms allowed" shall be at least three fourths of a vertical inch and all other letters shall be at least one half of a vertical inch.
D. This section does not prohibit a person who possesses a handgun from entering the licensed premises for a limited time for the specific purpose of either:
1. Seeking emergency aid.
2. Determining whether a sign has been posted pursuant to subsection A of this section.

I do not understand why Ohio could not adopt a similar Amendment. For one it would eliminate the possibility of a person legally carrying a CC permit to enter an eating establishment by mistake with a concealed weapon that is serving alcohol. Secondly I feel the need to protect my family when I am dining out as any other time I am out. Thirdly I would not have to leave my weapon locked in my vehicle with the possibility of someone stealing said weapon. And finally I am tired of eating out at Bob Evans and Cracker Barrel. Just kidding.

Seriously though I would like to propose this Amendment and ask how I may get the ball rolling for submission and passage by the State of Ohio.

I realize that this may play second fiddle to the souring economy, job loss, and the State deficit but I would like to press on with this issue.

Respectfully,

 

[SaltyDog]

Ohio House Bill 203

Well as always I was a day late and a dollar short. Seems that there has been a Bill submitted - House Bill 203.

In a letter that I received from State Representative House District 5 Gerald L Stebelton

Thank you for your email regarding House Bill 203, legislation to allow concealed carry licensees
to carry concealed handguns into retail food establishments or food service operation with liquor
permits. I appreciate your taking the time to write to me. As you may know, this bill was
introduced on June 2, 2009 and referred to the House Public Safety & Homeland Security
Coinmittee for hearings. I have not yet made a decision on this legislation but will work with my
colleagues in order to devise-the best solution to this proposal. I will be sure to keep your thoughts
and views in mind as my colleagues and I work on this legislation.
Again, thank you for your letter. I encourage you to follow the status of this bill by visiting
http://www.legislature.state.oh.us.

Another link to look at the Bill is at the Buckeye Firearms Association

Well in this case still write your House Reps and Senators urging them for support of this Bill.:smt023

P.S. I did not write about HB203 - they were kind enough to point it out to me.