Hearing on HB 425 Duty to Notify Bill Scheduled for Wednesday, Feb 19, 2020

It is very important to have strong turnout at a hearing scheduled for Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2020 at 9:30 a.m. in room 114 at the Statehouse, 1 Capitol Square, Columbus, OH 43215.

The committee will hear testimony from those who support HB 425 (sponsored by Rep. Scott Wiggam). Buckeye Firearms Association will give testimony in support of this bill.

If you are able to attend the hearing and testify in favor of this bill, you are encouraged to do so. (Details below.) However, you may also simply sit in on the hearing to show your support. 

Current law states that if you have a Concealed Handgun License and are carrying a handgun, you must "promptly" notify a law enforcement officer who stops you for any official purpose. But when is "promptly"? This is confusing and can lead to misunderstandings during encounters with law enforcement.

As introduced, HB 425 would modify this rule to clarify when and how to notify to avoid confusion. However, an amendment will be introduced during the hearing to remove the duty to notify unless law enforcement specifically asks if you are carrying a firearm. Currently, 41 states have laws with no duty to notify unless specifically asked, something officers are already trained to do.

If 41 of 50 states have no duty to notify, there is obviously no safety issue for law enforcement. They are trained to assume citizens may be in possession of firearms. States with no duty to notify unless specifically asked by law enforcement include California, Hawaii, New Jersey, and New York, which have some of the strictest firearm laws in the country.

We expect Bloomberg’s Moms Demand Action and other anti-gun groups to oppose this bill. Your attendance or testimony in support will help convince committee members to move this bill as amended. All you need to do is express your opinion on the bill or share personal experience.

If you wish to testify, click here to download a Witness Information Form. Fill it out and email the form, along with your written testimony, to Committee Chairman John Becker’s Aide before the hearing: Joe.Michalowski@ohiohouse.gov.