Tuesday, July 19, 2005

The sponsor of Ohio's law allowing concealed weapons said Monday he wants the state to override local bans on types of guns, a move that would cancel Columbus' decision to outlaw assault weapons.

Columbus' ban is the reason the National Rifle Association decided Monday to drop the city from hosting its 2007 national convention, a top NRA official said.

The gun rights organization had planned to hold its annual three-day event drawing as many as 60,000 people at the Greater Columbus Convention Center.[...]

State Rep. Jim Aslanides, sponsor of the law permitting people to carry hidden guns, said local weapons bans should not be allowed because Ohioans should feel confident they are not breaking the law by carrying weapons through the state's cities and villages.

Such a law would supersede the Columbus ban, said Aslanides, a Coshocton Republican.