Ohioans For Concealed Carry is reporting that what some have come to call "Applebee's Carry" is one step closer to reality in Ohio as House Bill 203 will receive its first hearing this Thursday, November 5th.
Current Ohio law prohibits firearms by law abiding citizens in almost any commercial establishment that serves alcohol for consumption on premises if anyone in the facility is consuming, even if the armed citizen is not. The only current exception for most people is retail stores such as a grocery store doing a wine tasting. In that situation, a person can carry as long as they do not drink any liquor.
HB 203 would extend that exception to restaurants, again provided that the person carrying a firearm for self-defense does not drink. In the map below (courtesy of OpenCarry.org), you can see that Ohio is one of only 8 states with a total prohibition. Most states have some provision for carrying a firearm in a restaurant, often with a stipulation to not consume alcohol while doing so.
Allowing a person the right to carry their firearm with them into such a restaurant not only continues to ensure their safety while dining, but also to and from the restaurant.
Any self-defense expert will tell you that a parking lot, particularly at night, is a favorite location for many crimes. Not only muggings, but also car break-ins. A firearm left in a vehicle can be easily stolen and used in future crimes. Keeping that firearm safely with the citizen keeps them safe and keeps the gun safe.
Opponents argue that allowing guns in a place that serves alcohol will lead to drunken shootouts. Yet if you look at any of the 42 states without bans you see that this is simply not the case. It works in every state bordering Ohio and it will work here if given a chance.
This first hearing for HB 203 is sponsor testimony. If subsequent hearings are held, the second one is often proponent testimony with a third being opponent testimony.
Comments
Why is Ohio such an odd state? We are not business friendly, we pay huge taxes, the way we pay our schools via property taxes has been ruled unconstitutional (we still do it anyway), and it looks like we are in the minority for carrying in restaurants. We are always a bit off!
I live here and it is some where in the Constitution that only idiots can run for office.
That is why!
The carry law in any state should bear the parameters of the DUI laws - you can dring while carrying (driving) if your blood alcohol content doesn't exceed .08.
Why in the world would sane people extend that parameter to driving, but not carrying?
It doesn't make any sense.
Basically, that is the law in Florida. There is no prohibition against drinking a glass of wine or a beer while dining if you're carrying. But there IS a law against carrying while intoxicated.
We are adults. The authorities have an obligation to TREAT us as such.
Clarification: "you can dring while driving" should be "you can drink and then drive"
Society moves too fast, and we hurry too much. [grin]
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