Ohio’s House Bill 460 proposes allowing elected officials and judges with concealed carry permits to bring firearms into government buildings, aiming to enhance personal safety for public officials. Critics question why average citizens remain barred from carrying in the same spaces, fueling debate over equal self-defense rights.

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COLUMBUS, OH (3-minute read) — Ohio lawmakers are advancing legislation that would allow elected officials, judges, and magistrates to carry concealed firearms into government buildings, a move that’s raising both support and criticism.

House Bill 460, introduced on September 17 by Reps. Thaddeus Claggett (R-Licking County) and Bernard Willis (R-Springfield), would change existing law to let certain public officials bring a concealed firearm into places like the Statehouse, courthouses, and city halls. To qualify, individuals must possess a valid Ohio concealed carry permit and show photo identification verifying their public office.

According to Claggett, the proposal stems from growing concerns about public safety, particularly following incidents such as the June killing of former Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman. That event, along with the recent politically motivated assassination of commentator Charlie Kirk, prompted heightened security for Ohio lawmakers.

“We just want to be sure everyone goes home safely,” Claggett stated. “It’s that simple.”

But while lawmakers stress the need for self-defense, critics point out a glaring imbalance: average Ohioans are still barred from carrying firearms in these same government spaces, even with a permit.

Unequal Self-Defense Rights?

Ohio law already allows permitless carry in most public places, but government facilities remain off-limits to the general public when it comes to firearms. Interestingly, courthouses can already allow judges and magistrates to carry firearms at their discretion. HB 460 would expand that privilege statewide and include more categories of public officials.

What’s striking is the implication that some individuals are more deserving of protection than others. Lawmakers and judges face risks, but so do everyday citizens; whether working late at a city office, attending a public meeting, or simply going about their daily lives. By giving government officials enhanced self-defense rights while leaving average citizens disarmed in the same spaces, the bill creates a hierarchy of personal security.

Claggett insists the bill is optional and would not mandate officials to carry, only permit them to do so. Still, this measure reflects a broader trend: elected leaders taking action to protect themselves while often limiting the public’s ability to do the same.

As HB 460 awaits its first hearing, the conversation about who gets to protect themselves, and where, is just getting started.

Safety Tip: Always stay informed about your state’s concealed carry laws. Knowing where you can and cannot legally carry a firearm is just as important as knowing how to use one safely.