Proposed Concealed Carry Changes Denounced By FOP

Another bill that tinkers with the state’s concealed-carry weapons law is in a Senate committee now, and two groups that have always been very involved in the issue are once again clashing over the proposed changes. The bill lowers the amount of required training for first-time concealed carry weapons permit applicants from 12 hours to eight. Jim Irvine with the Buckeye Firearms Association says that’s a good number to get people started. “And then it’s up to the instructor to say, hey, you need this much more or that much more before I sign you off," Irvine says. "And a lot of instructors don’t sign people off at the end of 12 hours – and you shouldn’t, if they’re not ready to carry a firearm yet.â€? But Mike Weinman with the Fraternal Order of Police says eight hours isn’t enough. “They need range time. Sorry. You need to be able to get out there and be able to fire that firearm.â€? The bill also reintroduces the idea that Ohio will recognize the concealed-carry permits issued in other states, as the state does with drivers’ licenses. But opponents say other states often don’t have the same standards that Ohio does. The bill is scheduled for a committee vote on Wednesday.