COLUMBUS, Ohio — The Ohio House Government Oversight Committee passed a measure to give local governments the permissive authority to expand concealed carry access.
Under House Bill 272, local governments may choose to expand concealed carry access to a courtroom or any building containing a courtroom if all of the following conditions are met:
- The building is not a designated courthouse, but a building in which a courtroom is simply located.
- The building in which the courtroom is located is a government building under the jurisdiction of the relevant local government.
- Court is not in session and the building is not being used for court purposes when weapons are allowed inside.
- The relevant local government has voluntarily enacted an ordinance allowing citizens to carry a weapon when the building is being used for non-court related purposes.
“This legislation empowers local control and strengthens Ohio’s concealed carry law,” state Rep. Justin Pizzulli, R-Scioto County, said.
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.
House Bill 272 awaits a vote on the House floor.
