Senate reacts to Taft veto of gun bill

Senate President Bill Harris issued the following statement today after Gov. Bob Taft vetoed House Bill 347, dealing with concealed weapons:

"I continue to be proud of the work the Ohio Senate did in balancing protections for law enforcement with providing clear and consistent standards so that gun owners are better able to understand and comply with the law no matter where they choose to legally carry their weapons," said Harris, a Republican from Ashland.

"I am in the process of talking to other Senators who support this legislation so that I can determine the Senate’s next step should the Ohio House, as the originating chamber, act to override the veto."

The 99-member Ohio House could vote on a possible override of Taft's veto as early as this afternoon. Currently controlled by 60 Republicans, the House needs 60 votes for its first-ever override of a Taft veto.

Taft has only vetoed two bills in his eight years in office, in December 2001 and December 2003. And there are only a half dozen session days remaining for the 126th General Assembly.

Taft said his leading concern with the concealed-carry bill is that it would overturn about 80 local gun ordinances including one that bans assault weapons in Cincinnati.