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Concealed handguns would be allowed in churches, day-care centers, government buildings, and other locations under legislation introduced earlier this week in the Ohio House.

(Associated Press file photo)

COLUMBUS, Ohio - New Ohio House legislation would allow concealed handguns to be taken into churches, day-care centers, aircraft, state buildings, airports outside security checkpoints, and publicly accessible areas of police stations.

House Bill 48, introduced this week by state Rep. Ron Maag, is similar to a gun bill the Warren County Republican unsuccessfully pushed last session.

The legislation would further allow conceal-carry permit holders to take handguns into school safety zones if the firearms are left in the car. Current law only allows people to carry concealed handguns in school zones when they are immediately picking up or dropping off a child.

Public and private universities and colleges would also be given the choice of allowing concealed handguns on campus, under the bill. Schools that allowed hidden guns would be granted legal immunity for any injuries or deaths that occur as a result.

Even though the GOP controls a historic 65-seat majority in the Ohio House, the bill's fate is unclear. HB 48 has 10 co-sponsors so far -- all Republicans, though several of them are first-term lawmakers without much clout.