The Ohio House today approved “stand your ground” legislation, voting 62-27 on a bill that would also ease requirements for carrying a concealed firearm in Ohio. The bill now goes to the Ohio Senate.
Under House Bill 203, Ohio would recognize other states’ concealed carry permits if those states recognize Ohio’s permits. The bill also lowers the number of required concealed carry training hours from 12 to four.
A provision that would remove an Ohioan’s legal obligation to retreat before using deadly force to protect him or herself has received the most attention from gun rights supporters and advocates for gun safety. Earlier this year, Dayton city officials passed a resolution opposing “stand your ground” legislation.
Twenty-four states have some variation of a “stand your ground” law. Florida’s law gained national attention last year when George Zimmerman killed 17-year-old Trayvon Martin in his suburban neighborhood. Zimmerman’s attorneys did not invoke the law in his defense.
The bill cleared a GOP-controlled House panel on Tuesday mostly along party lines after weeks of debate and revisions.
Among the states with stand your ground laws are; Alabama, Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, Montana, Nevada, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah and West Virginia.
About the Author
