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House Dems say concealed carry bill threatens police safety and puts black lives at risk

Say GOP bill is a step in the wrong direction to end gun violence
June 11, 2020
Jessica E. Miranda News

House Democrats today voted against House Bill 425, a GOP-backed bill that would modify concealed carry laws, eliminating the requirement for licensees to promptly notify law enforcement of their permit and if they are carrying. The bill also eliminates penalties for failure to notify, which opponents say will lead to confusion and potentially dangerous escalation—especially for people of color.

“As protestors continue to march across the country, there have been calls from law enforcement for communities to work alongside them to bridge racial divides and rebuild together. However, HB 425 is not working with police. In fact, it’s pushing through something that makes them less safe on the job while potentially putting even more black lives at risk,” said Ohio House Minority Leader Emilia Strong Sykes (D-Akron). “No one asked for this bill. What people have asked for are commonsense solutions that keep our kids and communities safe. This is a step in the wrong direction to end gun violence, restore trust and heal the deep wounds of division in our country.”

Under current law, when stopped for a law enforcement purpose, a concealed carry licensee must promptly inform the officer of their license and disclose if they are carrying. HB 425 would require a licensee to inform and disclose before or at the time the officer asks if the person is carrying a concealed handgun. The bill also eliminates the penalty for failure to comply with the duty to notify.

“Now is NOT the time to divide law enforcement and the citizens they have sworn an oath to protect. When citizens were extended the right to conceal carry their weapons in public, they agreed to certain responsible actions to assist in their interactions with law enforcement. Duty to notify is one of them. This bill does not correct an unconstitutional policy, nor does it increase the safety of our citizens or peace officers. Now is the time to bring unity rather than division,” said Rep. Joe Miller (D-Amherst), the Ranking Democrat on the House Federalism Committee.

House passage of HB 425 comes amid ongoing protests across the state and around the country following the police-involved death of George Floyd, an unarmed black man in Minneapolis.

Democrats have continually pushed for commonsense gun reforms and recently introduced a resolution to declare racism a public health crisis.

Rep. Jessica Miranda (D-Forest Park), a concealed carry permit-holder herself, offered an amendment on the House floor to include language from her HB 240 that would ensure firearms are stored safely and securely out of the reach of minors. Republicans rejected the amendment.

“Simply put, Child Access Prevention Laws work. States with these laws in place have 40 percent fewer suicides per capita and 68 percent fewer firearm suicides per capita than states without these laws,” said Rep. Miranda. “It is our duty to protect the lives of our children, to be the heroes for future generations—to follow the NRA’s own safe storage guidelines and to codify them."

After clearing the House, the bill now moves to the Senate for consideration.