COLUMBUS, Ohio - Concealed weapons could be coming to bars, restaurants and outdoor sports stadiums near you.

The Republican-dominated Ohio Senate passed a bill 25-7 Wednesday to allow concealed carry permit holders to carry weapons into bars, restaurants, and open-air sports stadiums serving alcohol. However, those packing concealed heat could face felony charges if they are caught boozing it up.

"I agree that you shouldn't be mixing alcohol and guns," said Sen. Tim Schaffer, a Lancaster Republican who sponsored the legislation. "This bill doesn't allow concealed carry permit holders to consume alcohol. Period."

The National Rifle Association-backed bill was staunchly opposed by law enforcement groups such as the Ohio Association of Chiefs of Police and Fraternal Order of Police of Ohio. It now moves to the Ohio House for consideration.

John Gilchrist, legal counsel for the chiefs' group, said the proposal is dangerous for his members. "These people carrying may go with every intention of not drinking, but then once they are there they may think 'Who is going to know?' and start up," he said. "Then you have people drinking and carrying guns."

Sen. Tim Grendell, a Chesterland Republican, framed the issue as a matter of trusting law-abiding citizens who have qualified for a conceal carry permit, a process that involves a background check by a local sheriff's department.

"There is no reason that trust ends when you walk into a bar or a restaurant," Grendell said.

However, Sen. Charleta Tavares, a Columbus Democrat, said even if the pistol-packers aren't drinking, adding a weapon to a bar environment is a bad idea.

"When you mix alcohol and weapons it's a dangerous -- and can be deadly -- combination," Tavares said. "I see too many deaths in my community when there are guns and alcohol."

A trio of eastern Ohio Democrats -- Senate Minority Leader Capri Cafaro, and Sens. Jason Wilson and Joe Schiavoni -- crossed the aisle to join Senate Republicans in voting for the legislation.

The bill also would wipe out Ohio's laws about where concealed carry license holders must keep weapons while transporting them in their car. Currently, concealed-carry permit holders can travel in their vehicle with a loaded weapon as long as the weapon is holstered or kept in a glove compartment, console, or box.

"This bill just eliminates micromanaging provisions about how and where a gun may be kept in a car," Schaffer said.

Senate lawmakers also voted 27-5 to pass a bill that would give people with certain criminal convictions the right to own guns again, provided those rights were restored by court order. The bill's sponsor, Sen. Wilson, said the bill just brings Ohio's law into compliance with a federal ruling. It also heads to the House for consideration.

In other action, the Senate approved in a 26-6 vote legislation that allows Teach For America educators to teach in Ohio schools. Gov. John Kasich first spoke about his desire to get teachers funneled into Ohio schools from the two-year program for college graduates during his State of the State address March 8. It now heads to Kasich's desk for his signature.