JANELLE PATTERSON The Marietta Times Gun Sales Associate Craig Sturm, left, and Gun Deck Manager Jeff Shaw, right, discuss holsters available for smaller handguns at Bridgeport Equipment and Tool in Marietta Friday.

Local business owners and government leadership are considering their options after more relaxed gun laws have taken effect in Ohio this spring.

“I’m glad we got a little bit more freedom back,” said Kin Brewer, owner of Warren’s IGA in Marietta and partner in Food-4-Less. “Especially when people have taken the time to gain the skills and go through the concealed-carry training course.”

Ohio legislators enacted a new law that took effect last month allowing: firearms to be carried in non-secure areas of airports and on private aircraft by those possessing a concealed carry license, the concealed carry of handguns by active military members with weapons training without the requirement of a concealed weapons license, the concealed carry of handguns on college campuses, day care facilities, in certain government facilities and in school safety-zones at the discretion of the facilities’ leadership.

The law also prohibits both private and public employers from banning employees from bringing their weapon on to the employer’s property and securely storing it in a locked vehicle. Previously if a business had banned guns at work, including in their parking lot, employees were essentially banned from having a gun all day.

“Basically we’re getting closer to logical Second Amendment exercise,” said Brewer. “I take real issue with gun-free zones because it puts law-abiding citizens in danger, the ones who are intent on harming someone have no respect for those zones and instead people are left as defenseless targets.”

Washington County Commissioner Ron Feathers said the issue has brought about much discussion for county employees who work both within the courthouse and its other campuses.

“The courthouse is still a place where state legislature will not allow regular citizens to carry,” said Feathers. “But we have talked with (Washington County Sheriff Larry Mincks) and will be leaving it up to department heads at offices outside his agency and the courthouse to decide whether they would like to allow concealed carry within their buildings.”

Feathers said all three commissioners plan to carry within their office once waivers have been completed and passed as a commission.

“I think it’s fine, we’re getting back to our constitutional rights, but we’re still waiting on the waiver to be finalized in the prosecutor’s office before we vote on it,” he said.

Lana Tuten, executive committee member of the Fort Harmar Rifle Club, said she agrees with the majority of the parts of the new gun law, but holds reservations about the liberties given to military members.

“As an instructor, some of the stuff we teach in concealed carry classes, they don’t get in basic training,” she said. “All people that carry a gun should learn the laws and rules of safety, but I disagree with Ohio’s open carry allowance. Yes, it’s a right, but to me it causes more problems and more of a hassle as a gun owner than if you are certified to conceal it.”

Tuten said she often carries a concealed weapon, mostly to not cause panic.

“I understand why some people may panic if they see a gun on someone’s hip,” she said. “It’s better to go through the training, get certified and not worry about that. Plus I’ve noticed with more training you don’t have as many accidental shootings.”

Tuten said she has also noticed an increased interest in concealed carry classes since the law’s passage.

“We just did a class of about 20 people a couple weeks ago,” she explained. “Usually we like having six to eight people.”

For Jeff Shaw, gun deck manager for Bridgeport Equipment and Tool in Marietta, the new allowances for active duty military have him somewhat wary.

“It’s going to be a tough call for our owners to decide if they want to sell to those military (young adults) who have the training but are under the age to purchase a gun otherwise,” he said. “(Legislators) are opening up a can of worms with this military stuff.”

But aside from that reservation, Shaw said interest has remained steady on the gun deck for the purchase of firearms and inquiries about concealed carry classes in the area.

“But not all of the classes are as advertised as you would expect,” he said. “These instructors have to take more training than anybody else but a lot of their business seems to come from word of mouth. Of course, if they’re putting together a class they can always bring a flier in here for us to let people know about them.”

Basic Ohio Handgun Laws

¯ Purchase and possession: No state permit or license is required to purchase or possess a handgun, rifle or shotgun.

¯ Open carry: State law does not prohibit the open carrying of firearms except in certain locations, but a person should exercise caution when carrying a firearm in public.

¯ Concealed carry: It is unlawful for a person without a concealed handgun license to carry a handgun concealed on his or her person.

Source: National Rifle Association of America.

Recent changes made to Ohio law for gun owners:

¯ Prohibits a business entity, property owner or public or private employer from banning a person who has been issued a valid concealed carry license from transporting or storing a firearm or ammunition when the items are locked in a person’s privately-owned motor vehicle on company property.

¯ Allows CCW holders to keep their handgun locked in a motor vehicle on school premises.

¯ Allows colleges and government bodies to decide for themselves if concealed-carry should be allowed.

¯ Allows CCW holders to carry on private aircraft, in the non-secure area of airports and in day-care centers (unless the day care posts a “no-guns” sign).

¯ Allows active military members who have the same or greater training than that required to obtain a CCW to carry a concealed firearm without a license.

¯ Allows the sale of firearms to active duty military members without regard to their age. Current law prohibits those under 21 from purchasing a handgun.

Source: Buckeye Firearms Association.