COLUMBUS – The Republican-controlled Ohio Senate has passed a bill that would expand the state’s concealed-weapons law.
Lawmakers are burning the midnight oil to pass legislation as the days tick down for the members of the 131st Ohio General Assembly.
The Senate late Wednesday night approved a measure that would allow guns in places such as colleges and day cares and on private aircraft. It now goes to the House for a final vote Thursday before heading to Republican Gov. John Kasich for consideration.
The bill still permits places to ban guns if they want. It would keep a ban on concealed weapons in government buildings, unless an agency decides to allow them.
A House committee, meanwhile, voted to pass a bill that would ban abortions after 20 weeks.
The committee voted Wednesday night on the measure, which now heads to the full House for consideration Thursday.
It follows House approval Tuesday night of the so-called heartbeat bill, clearing the way for what would be one of the nation’s most stringent abortion restrictions.
That legislation is already on its way to Kasich and would prohibit most abortions as early as six weeks into pregnancy after the first detectable heartbeat.
Kasich is an abortion-rights opponent who has previously voiced concerns about such a bill’s constitutionality.