MOUNT VERNON — Ohio Governor John Kasich signed Senate Bill 17 into law in 2011 which makes changes to Ohio’s conceal-carry policy. Under the law, people licensed to carry a concealed weapon can now take a handgun into liquor-permit premises. This includes taverns, restaurants, nightclubs, hotels and carryouts.
There are two conditions that accompany this law. Weapon holders must not drink alcohol, and they must keep their guns out of businesses which post signs banning weapons.
Also with the new law, when people are driving with a handgun with them and are stopped by a law enforcement officer, they are required to inform the officer that they have a permit and a weapon with them, according to detective Craig Feeney of the Mount Vernon Police Department.
“We haven’t seen a lot of CCW instances,” said officer Nick Holdren of the Fredericktown Police Department, adding that there have been problems reported.
“We haven’t had any instances, and I haven’t seen any difference in business either,” said a manager at Dutch’s Bar in Mount Vernon. “I’d like to have the right to a concealed carry.”
“I haven’t seen anything come up at all,” said a bartender at The Village Inn in Utica.
Jeff Budd, manager of Martinsburg Marathon, has seen a few people come into his business with guns but has never had any problems occur. “Most people with a concealed-carry permit you wouldn’t even know it,” said Budd.
