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#Bill to loosen Ohio s concealed-carry gun law triggers reader debate: What you re saying

An unidentified student prepares to fire his gun at a concealed-carry class at Stonewall Guns Ltd. in Broadview Heights. Cleveland.com readers offered a variety of opinions about legislation that would allow gun owners in Ohio to carry concealed firearms without a permit or training. Joshua Gunter/ The Plain Deale

Under House Bill 147 . introduced this week, anyone aged 21 or older in Ohio would be able to carry any concealed firearm not specifically banned by law.

It would also prohibit law enforcement officers from searching or detaining people just because they are carrying a legal gun, and landlords couldn't stop tenants from carrying or possessing a firearm.

Many cleveland.com commenters said they favored expanding gun rights in the state. Opponents, meanwhile, feared what would happen if training and permits were no longer required to carry a concealed firearm.

Here's a selection of comments from readers. It's not too late to add your voice: share your thoughts in the comments below

Supporters of the bill:

"I do not see an issue. When criminals start needing a permit, then the rest of us should also, but it is obvious they don't need one. As for the CCW, half the police force uses it as a way to catch you doing something wrong, the other half sees you as a law-abiding citizen. Taking away the whole CCW process would make it a lot easier."

"Currently, a police officer CAN take custody of a person's weapon. I never liked that, and it should not be allowed. I don't want the officer taking my gun from me when there is no reason for him to do so."

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"I'm for expanding gun rights for law-abiding citizens. And whether this passes or not, that it is being introduced shows that the momentum is now on the gun advocates' side. )"

Opponents of the legislation:

"As a current CCW permit holder, I am not a fan of the idea of this bill. We require training to operate a car/truck/motorcycle to insure that when people are driving these vehicles in public they at least have a basic understanding of safe operation. My fear is that legislation such as this will increase the likelihood of accidental shootings which will give the anti-gun lobby more ammunition (no pun intended)."

"Yeah, this is ridiculous. I'm a gun owner, and I am in favor of trained and adequately licensed citizens carrying concealed firearms. Folks who have the discipline and take the time to qualify for a concealed carry permit are far, far less likely to commit crime with a gun than are people who carry without the permit (otherwise known as criminals). To do away with the CCP requirement is to eliminate the 'responsibility factor' altogether. The CCP is a tangible way to differentiate the 'good guys with guns' and the criminals."

"[Under the bill,] you would still have to 'promptly' inform a law enforcement officer you are armed. This notification requirement does nothing to increase officer safety and only allows harassment of a legal firearm carrier. All cops are taught to assume a person is armed until proven otherwise. With open carry (state) constitutionally protected, licensing concealed carry with required training (more for the legal aspects ) is not asking too much."

And some readers indicated mixed feelings about the bill:

"I am torn on this one. I like the education and training requirements now but also agree with more legal ownership. I kind of hope the law doesn't change but wouldn't be upset if it did in the sense that criminals would have to worry about anyone possessing a firearm."

"Mixed feelings on this issue. Requiring an individual to complete a course which teaches gun safety and reviews the laws governing concealed carry makes sense. However, if I pass an ATF background check to purchase a handgun, why do I need another permit to carry it concealed? No permit or training is required to open carry."

That's the truth, Truth!

"Interesting bill. I still haven't really decided which way I'm leaning. On one hand, you can open carry in Ohio without a permit or training, so why should you have to get one to conceal it? The only thing you get is a fancy card and you end up having to pay the County for the permit fee and whatever instructor money for the safety class. And when any Police Department runs your license plate it shows you have a CCW permit. On the other hand I'd be afraid of the people that will see this law and not understand when you can carry and not carry which the CCW class is good for. Still can't carry when your drinking, can't take into certain buildings, etc. I wonder how many people would catch a felony case just out of pure stupidity and/or lack of knowledge."