Ohio legislature sends sweeping gun rights bill to Governor

Bill relaxes the residency requirements to apply for a permit

In a victory for Second Amendment advocates in the Buckeye State, the Ohio House gave final concurrence to a bill that will allow hunting with suppressors, loosen rules for concealed-weapons permits and other reforms.

Beginning life as a bill that only legislated a repeal in the state’s ban on using legally possessed suppressors while hunting in the state, the measure over time grew to include a number of changes to the state’s concealed carry laws. These include reducing the number of hours required in training, relaxing the residency requirements to apply for a permit, and providing a grace period for renewals by active duty members of the military.

The bill passed the Ohio Senate on Dec. 9 by a large 24-6 margin and was concurred 69-16 by the House on Wednesday. It now proceeds to Gov. John Kasich (R) for consideration.

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