concealed carry

Ohio Gov. John Kasich signed a bill that would give colleges the option of allowing concealed carry on campus and expand the areas where permit holders could carry a concealed handgun.

(Gus Chan, The Plain Dealer)

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Ohio Gov. John Kasich on Monday signed a bill allowing concealed firearms on college campuses and at daycares, if approved by college trustees and business owners.

Senate Bill 199 lifts the blanket prohibition on firearms at those locations and the public area of airport terminals, before security checkpoints. College boards of trustees would have to vote to allow concealed firearms; child care centers and in-home daycare would have to post a sign if firearms aren't allowed.

The law also allows active-duty military to carry concealed guns without a permit and prohibits employers from banning permit holders from bringing guns into company parking lots. It takes effect in 90 days.

The Ohio Association of Chiefs of Police, Ohio Prosecuting Attorneys Association, college educators and staff members and parents of young children opposed the legislation. Gun control advocates called it the "guns everywhere" bill.

"Governor Kasich ignored the concerns of law enforcement, business leaders, gun violence survivors, moms, daycare providers, campus stakeholders and students," Michele Mueller, leader of the Ohio chapter of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, said in a statement. "By signing Senate Bill 199, Governor Kasich is siding with gun lobby interests over public safety."

After businesses voiced concerns about an amendment making concealed gun permit holders a protected class, some of the more controversial pieces of the proposal were scrapped.

The Buckeye Firearms Association and National Rifle Association supported the measure.

Kasich signed 17 bills Monday, including one blocking raising the minimum wage in Cleveland, without comment.

Here's a look at some of the other major bills.

House Bill 18, which prohibits landlords, mobile home park operators and condo or neighborhood associations from restricting display of the Ohio flag, POW/MIA flag or other service banners. Landlords and mobile home park operators can't restrict display of the American flag.

House Bill 154, which requires drivers passing bicyclists to provide at least 3 feet between the vehicle and the bicycle.

House Bill 470, which revises laws around palliative care and makes assisting suicide a felony.

House Bill 476, which raises the foreign debt cap from 1 percent to 2 percent for state interim funds and county inactive and public library fund investments. It also prohibits a state agency from contracting with a company that is involved in a boycott.

Senate Bill 331, which sets standards for where pet stores can buy dogs and cats for resale; eliminates cities' ability to set a higher minimum wage, standard working hours, mandatory sick or leave time and other employment conditions; limits communities' ability to block the installation of wireless microantennas; bans bestiality; and strengthens a state ban on cockfighting.

Editor's note: An earlier version of this story said Senate Bill 331 prohibited poultry from running onto neighboring property. Lawmakers removed that provision from the final version of the bill.