Ohio: Castle Doctrine bill

[VTpro]

[Gov] Strickland signs bill relating to concealed-carry law

COLUMBUS -- Ohio Governor Ted Strickland signed the "Castle Doctrine" bill today.

The bill presumes that a person has acted in self-defense when using force that may cause death or injury against an individual who has unlawfully entered the person's home or occupied vehicle.

Under current Ohio law, the burden lies on the resident who has used force to prove his or her reasoning for such action.

The "Castle" name plays off the old English saying that "A man's home is his castle."

"This legislation offers needed clarifications to Ohio's concealed carry law and strengthens legal protections for citizens who defend themselves and their families against intruders in their homes," Strickland said.

State Senator Steve Buehrer sponsored the Senate bill.

The new law goes into effect Sept. 8.

The bill also makes several changes to the concealed carry law in Ohio.

Additionally, the bill adjusts the mandatory prison terms for firearms-related convictions.
© 2008 WKYC-TV

Ohio Castle Doctrine

 

[MikeH]

Good for them!

 

[atmay]

Additionally, the bill adjusts the mandatory prison terms for firearms-related convictions.

Without knowing all the details, ^this^ has me a bit scared though.

 

[C-pher]

Where's our Ohio boy when you need him?

I'll send a PM back to the guy I worked with back on the GM account in Dayton. One of the guys there is a CCW instructor...I'll see what he has to say.

 

[Jaxon]

Castle doctrine: Ohio self-defense law will start in November
Wednesday, June 11, 2008 2:58 AM
By Mark Niquette

Over the objections of law-enforcement groups, Gov. Ted Strickland yesterday signed into law a bill that relaxes certain gun restrictions and establishes a "castle doctrine" for shooting an intruder in self-defense.

The legislation, Senate Bill 184, takes effect in 90 days.

It was backed by the National Rifle Association to establish a presumption that a person acts in self defense when shooting someone who unlawfully enters his or her home or occupied vehicle. Supporters say it will protect the innocent from facing charges.

Amendments added to the bill will allow people to carry unloaded firearms in the cab of a vehicle with ammunition nearby and prohibit landlords from telling tenants they cannot own guns.

Critics, particularly county prosecutors, argued that the "castle doctrine" could help criminals evade charges, while groups representing sheriffs, police chiefs, prosecutors and officers have expressed concerns about allowing anyone to carry a gun inside a car.

Strickland called the bill "common-sense legislation" that also will clear up ambiguous sections of Ohio's concealed-carry law.

"What we've clarified in this bill I think will go a long way toward providing both law enforcement as well as law-abiding citizens some confidence that what they're doing is, in fact, consistent with the law," he said.

The governor also said that neither he nor his wife has a concealed-carry permit. (They have State Trooper bodyguards...)

 

[doobie]

"occupied vehicle": so if the criminal forces you to get out of your car, you need to defend yourself from INSIDE the car if you are the only one in it? Cuz once you get out, it is no longer occupied....

 

[C-pher]

My buddy said that he's still reading up on this, and he doesn't have all the details down yet. Or at least not enough to make a good comment.

 

[Palladin]

"occupied vehicle": so if the criminal forces you to get out of your car, you need to defend yourself from INSIDE the car if you are the only one in it? Cuz once you get out, it is no longer occupied....

isn't there a Federal anti-carjacking law which allows deadly force?

 

[Jaxon]

SB184

The bill, as listed on the "Laws, Acts and Legistlation" for the 127th Ohio General Assembly.

Have fun...