Ohio lawmakers vote to allow guns in bars and arenas

Lawmakers passed a proposal Wednesday to allow people with concealed-carry permits to take their firearms into many facilities where alcohol is consumed, as long as they don't drink.

The Republican-led Ohio House voted 55-39 in favor of the change, and the GOP-led Senate concurred with a vote of 25-7. Gov. John Kasich has supported the idea, but his spokesman said Kasich wanted to see details of the final version before deciding whether to sign it.

Supporters said the measure is about allowing people who legally have concealed weapons to carry the firearms into restaurants that happen to serve alcohol, instead of leaving them behind in a vehicle. Opponents say it will lead to a dangerous mix of booze and firearms.

Here are some questions and answers about the proposal:

Q: How would it change concealed weapons regulations?

A: State law no longer would prohibit people from carrying their concealed firearms into about 17,000 facilities where alcohol is served and consumed. It also would allow a person with the proper permit to have a loaded handgun in a vehicle even if the gun is not secured in a holster or other specified container, as long as the person isn't violating other legal restrictions.

Q: What types of venues would be affected?

A: The change would apply to facilities with Class D liquor licenses, which allow for on-premise alcohol consumption. That category includes restaurants, bars, sports stadiums, nightclubs, shopping malls and museums but not university sports venues. Such weapons are prohibited at many government facilities, school areas and places of worship.

Q: Would establishments now be required to allow firearms?

A: No. They could take advantage of existing law that lets privately owned or leased venues prohibit weapons. For example, the facilities that are home to Ohio's major professional sports teams plan to continue to ban weapons for safety reasons.

Q: Would people be allowed to legally carry concealed firearms while drinking in bars, stadiums and other venues?

A: No. The proposal would permit a person to have a gun in such facilities as long as the person was not drinking alcohol beforehand and does not drink alcohol at the venue. Violating the restrictions would be a felony offense.

Q: How would the regulations be enforced?

A: The legislation doesn't specifically address enforcement. As is the case currently, law enforcement agents could find out about someone illegally drinking and carrying a concealed weapon through a call from a patron or venue employee who spots the violation, or because the person becomes involved in an altercation or other incident they're investigating.