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COLUMBUS, OH -- House Bill 272, which was spearheaded by Warren County's State Reps. Adam Mathews (R-Lebanon) and Justin Pizzulli (R-Scioto County), was passed by the Ohio House of Representatives on Wednesday.
House Bill 272 will grant local governments the permissive authority to allow citizens to carry a concealed weapon within certain general, multi-purpose community centers. Under current law, Ohioans are prohibited from carrying a concealed weapon within a courtroom or any building containing a courtroom, regardless of whether a court is in session or the building is being used as a courthouse.
“This legislation clarifies the law and empowers municipalities like the ones in my district,” said Mathews. “This is a victory for both Second Amendment rights and responsible governance.”
“This legislation will extend our smaller municipalities the same rights as our larger ones with respect to local control of concealed carry,” said Pizzulli. “I’m grateful to see this common-sense legislation cross the finish line in the Ohio House.
Under the bill, local governments may permit the carrying of a concealed weapon within such buildings if all of the following conditions are met:
House Bill 272 awaits consideration by the Ohio Senate.