Mike DeWine, the governor of Ohio and member of the Republican Party, signed a state approved legislation that would allow residents above age 21 to carry concealed firearms without permits. The bill would also allow people to carry a gun without any training.

The Senate Bill 215 of Ohio gives individuals an option to not proactively reveal that they are carrying a weapon to law enforcement officials. However, if explicitly asked, people would be required to reveal if they possess a firearm.

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The state of Ohio previously had a $1,000 fine in place for those who failed to reveal they had a firearm, according to reports cleveland.com. The first-degree misdemeanor would also include a suspension of their licenses.

The National Rifle Association of the United States, a pro-gun rights lobbyist group, was quick to respond to the new “landmark legislation in Ohio.” 

The director of NRA’s Institute for Legislative Action said, “Any right requiring a fee or government permission slip isn’t much of a right at all. That is why the NRA worked tirelessly with state leaders and legislators to pass this landmark legislation in Ohio.”

The statement added, “The NRA commends Gov. DeWine for signing this important piece of legislation that protects the Second Amendment rights of all law-abiding Buckeyes.”

The National Rifle Association also added that Ohio is now the 23rd state in the United States to permit carrying concealed firearms without any previous approvals.

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Earlier this month, Alabama took a similar step and said people would be allowed to carry concealed guns without undergoing background checks from the state. 

Kay Ivey, the Governor of Alabama, said in a statement, “Unlike states who are doing everything in their power to make it harder for law abiding citizens, Alabama is reaffirming our commitment to defending our Second Amendment rights”, according to reports from Associated Press.

She added, “I have always stood up for the rights of law-abiding gun owners, and I am proud to do that again today.”