Ohio legislative committee clears bill to ease penalties on concealed-carry holders
COLUMBUS, Ohio -A legislative panel on Wednesday advanced a bill that would allow concealed handgun permit holders to avoid prison when they're caught in gun-free zones, despite most testimony objecting to the measure.
The House Federalism and Interstate Relations Committee voted 9 to 3, mostly along party lines, to advance to the chamber's floor House Bill 233, sponsored by Republican Rep. John Becker, R-Union Township.
The bills could be considered on the House floor Thursday if lawmakers return to vote on whether to override Gov. John Kasich's budget vetoes. The bill could also be considered after they return from their summer recess.
The bill was one of three gun measures considered by the lawmakers. The committee did not vote on two other bills, as its chairwoman, Rep. Kristina Roegner, R-Hudson, said more work was needed to improve them and they won't be considered until after the legislature's summer recess.
Read more: http://www.cleveland.com/open/index.ssf/2017/07/ohio_legislative_committee_cle_1.html