Post by TA on Dec 11, 2003 7:55:48 GMT -5
But, the fat lady hasn't sang yet. Gov. Taft, threatens veto.
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The Associated Press
12/11/2003, 3:27 a.m. ET
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — The latest months-long struggle to allow Ohioans to carry concealed weapons has made it Gov. Bob Taft's desk, only to face a veto and an uncertain future.
Ohioans could carry concealed weapons after passing a background check and completing safety training under a bill approved by House and Senate lawmakers late Wednesday.
Taft, a Republican, immediately said he would veto the bill out of concerns over public records.
It was the first time state lawmakers in both chambers have sent a bill to the governor that would allow Ohioans to carry a concealed weapons.
The House approved the bill 69-27 just minutes after the Senate approved it 25-8.
The bill means Ohioans "can have the opportunity to defend themselves against attack" while becoming trained in the proper use of firearms, said the bill's sponsor, Rep. Jim Aslanides, a Coshocton Republican.
Sen. Eric Fingerhut, a Cleveland Democrat, said the bill would lead to violent confrontations and the potential of children hurting themselves by finding guns in a permit holder's jacket or purse.
He called people who would walk down the street with a loaded weapon "nuts" and said the bill takes away his right of knowing who to avoid. "I don't want to be anywhere near you," Fingerhut said.
For some Republicans, the bill didn't go far enough. Rep. Ron Young of Painesville opposed the bill because it had too many restrictions.
"This is a gun control bill, not a gun rights bill," Young said.
Taft said he would veto the bill after pushing unsuccessfully for reporters to have access to the names of all permit holders in a county.
Instead, the bill would give reporters access to limited public records on a name-by-name basis.
"We got very close to a bill the governor could accept, all the public safety provisions were agreeable to the governor," said spokesman Orest Holubec. "But the public records provision as passed by the conference committee is too limiting."
House Speaker Larry Householder said he believed he had the votes to override a veto. Senate President Doug White said he did not have enough override votes.
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The Associated Press
12/11/2003, 3:27 a.m. ET
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — The latest months-long struggle to allow Ohioans to carry concealed weapons has made it Gov. Bob Taft's desk, only to face a veto and an uncertain future.
Ohioans could carry concealed weapons after passing a background check and completing safety training under a bill approved by House and Senate lawmakers late Wednesday.
Taft, a Republican, immediately said he would veto the bill out of concerns over public records.
It was the first time state lawmakers in both chambers have sent a bill to the governor that would allow Ohioans to carry a concealed weapons.
The House approved the bill 69-27 just minutes after the Senate approved it 25-8.
The bill means Ohioans "can have the opportunity to defend themselves against attack" while becoming trained in the proper use of firearms, said the bill's sponsor, Rep. Jim Aslanides, a Coshocton Republican.
Sen. Eric Fingerhut, a Cleveland Democrat, said the bill would lead to violent confrontations and the potential of children hurting themselves by finding guns in a permit holder's jacket or purse.
He called people who would walk down the street with a loaded weapon "nuts" and said the bill takes away his right of knowing who to avoid. "I don't want to be anywhere near you," Fingerhut said.
For some Republicans, the bill didn't go far enough. Rep. Ron Young of Painesville opposed the bill because it had too many restrictions.
"This is a gun control bill, not a gun rights bill," Young said.
Taft said he would veto the bill after pushing unsuccessfully for reporters to have access to the names of all permit holders in a county.
Instead, the bill would give reporters access to limited public records on a name-by-name basis.
"We got very close to a bill the governor could accept, all the public safety provisions were agreeable to the governor," said spokesman Orest Holubec. "But the public records provision as passed by the conference committee is too limiting."
House Speaker Larry Householder said he believed he had the votes to override a veto. Senate President Doug White said he did not have enough override votes.