YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio - Along with a new state budget, Governor John Kasich has officially signed off on a bill allowing people with concealed carry permits to tote guns into public venues that serve alcohol. It's the first weekend the new bill takes effect. There is mixed emotion out there this holiday weekend.
Patron Tom Benton says, "As a permit holder, basically people who don't have gun permits will still carry. The criminal will do whatever he wants to do."
The Buckeye Firearms association and other pro-concealed carry groups agree.
The law does prohibit gun owners from consuming alcohol or being under the influence when they bring their licensed weapons inside. A violation is a fifth degree felony and loss of concealed carry rights. Businesses also have the option to ban guns for safety reasons, and some have already done so.
Joshua Coteless who owns JC's says, "Personally I don't believe weapons belong where there is family and children." However, he is not planning to ban guns from his restaurant.
While the new bill also allows guns in stadiums, already, the Cleveland Browns AND Cincinnati Bengals have both said they will ban weapons from their stadiums.
