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Lawmakers Consider Measures To Ease Ohio Gun Restrictions

Several bills to loosen restrictions on guns took the first step toward becoming law. Supporters say the bills would lift overly burdensome regulations, but others say it’s a sign that Ohio is going in the wrong direction.

Republican State Rep. Ron Hood of Ashville wants to change the law to essentially allow people to carry concealed weapons without a permit—which means bypassing background checks and training.

He says lawful gun owners in Ohio deserve these changes.

“Criminals don’t submit themselves to background checks so the only purpose of a permit system is to license law abiding citizens,” Hood said.

That was the main argument from supporters of three other gun-related bills that got their first hearing in a House committee as well. Those measures restricted the ability to seize weapons, expanded the ability to carry concealed weapons in more places, and addressed issues with carrying concealed weapons in school zones.

Opponents say these bills would normalize the presence of dangerous weapons in public places which increases the risk of violence.