Today, March 21, the provisions of the critical self-defense legislation, Sub. Senate Bill 199, go into effect. Thanks to your active involvement last session, this bill was signed by Governor Kasich last December. This law is another step forward in protecting the Second Amendment rights of active duty members, employees and law-abiding Ohioans across the Buckeye State.

This new law exempts active duty members of the U.S. Armed Forces from the concealed carry permit license requirements. It also makes several important changes in the Concealed Handgun Law regarding a person who is an active duty member of the U.S. armed forces and is carrying a valid military identification card and a certificate issued by the person's applicable service branch indicating that the person has successfully completed small arms qualification (qualifying member of the military).

Secondly, it allows an employee to store a firearm in his or her locked vehicle without fear of employer retribution. Throughout the country, many employers have adopted “No Firearms” policies that extend beyond the physical workplace to include employee parking lots – areas often accessible to the general public and not secure. These misguided policies leave employees to choose between protecting themselves during their commutes and be subject to termination by their employers. The fundamental right to self-defense should not stop simply because employees park their cars in publicly accessible parking lots owned by their employers. This law corrects that problem by prohibiting employers from establishing, maintaining or enforcing such policies.

Lastly, the law enhances law-abiding citizens’ right to self-defense by expanding the list of places where citizens can legally carry concealed.

Your NRA-ILA will continue to fight for your Second Amendment rights in the Buckeye State. Please stay tuned to your email inbox and www.nraila.org for future updates on gun-related bills as the Ohio General Assembly’s 2017 legislative session continues.