Committee hears clarification bill to allow permissive concealed carry in multipurpose municipal buildings

The House Public Safety Committee heard sponsor testimony on House Bill 68, a clarification bill that would allow municipalities to permissively authorize concealed carry in their own chambers even if the municipal building sometimes houses courtroom functions, provided no court services are in operation.

Representatives Adam Matthews and Justin Pizzoli, the sponsors, said the change is intended to codify existing judicial rulings and remove uncertainty for smaller municipalities that use multipurpose buildings (for example, city hall that houses a tax office, council chambers and a courtroom at different times). The bill retains the prohibition on concealed carry when the room is being used for court proceedings and leaves the choice to localities (an ordinance is required to opt in).

The bill also includes a provision to let nonresidents who were indicted or convicted in Ohio apply for relief from weapons disabilities in the county where the indictment or conviction occurred, addressing a gap that left people who moved out of state without a remedy.

Members pressed sponsors on the difference between this permissive clarification and broader local‑control firearm bills. Sponsors said HB 68 is narrowly focused on the limited question of whether multipurpose municipal rooms may be permissively designated for concealed carry when court services are not being held.

The committee concluded the first hearing and did not take an immediate vote on the bill.