State & Local Government Policy, Business and Technology

Ohio lawmakers pass scaled-back concealed carry expansion bill

Cleveland.com: COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Ohio lawmakers gave final approval early Friday morning to legislation expanding where handgun owners with concealed carry permits can possess firearms after removing some of the more controversial parts of the bill.

Legislators scrapped plans to extend protected class status to permit holders under Ohio anti-discrimination law and to allow concealed firearms in all state and local government buildings lacking security checkpoints, such as libraries and boards of election.

The former drew complaints from the Ohio Chamber of Commerce and business interests for infringing on employers' rights. Lawmakers kept language that blocks businesses from banning guns in locked vehicles in parking lots.

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