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     As you know, the Ohio Department of Homeland Security is currently rewriting ORC 4749.  A notification was sent out after our last meeting with the State asking that you comment to the Department on the rewrite.  The immediate issues we saw were that there were no caps on fees, no caps on training requirements and firearms training was increased to 40 hours.  According to Deputy Director Mack, he received two comments. Ouch.

    I do think we gained some ground today.  DHS agreed to require that fees and training requirements be established by rule.  This is far better than the language that was in the rewrite that simply stated the State will determine all fees and training.  However, they are not moving off of the 40 hour training requirement for firearms bearer certification despite arguments that it would increase costs by up to 300% and be a possible barrier to employment.  A final argument was made that 40 hours is an arbitrary number that holds no magic, rhyme or reason and there is no evidence that it needs to be increased.  You should know that OPOTA is also in support of the increased standard, and since they are the certifying agency it is likely OPOTA who will determine the outcome of this issue.  Unfortunately, our industry has no seat at OPOTA's commission.

    After the State makes the changes discussed today, they are going to post it on their website again for comment from the industry.  A notification will be sent to members when the updated version is posted.  At that time it is critical that you send your comments to the Executive Director.  If you have not read this rewrite, I would implore you to do so.  There is a strong shift in the way licensing and registration will be conducted. 

     Portability of registrations is still a go.  However, the details have not been worked out and DHS is concerned about the effect it will have on their revenue.  At this point it was suggested that the rewrite include no more than a date in which portability will be effective. 

     Presently, DHS does not have a sponsor for the re-write. It will not be difficult for them to find one though.  They want to have a sponsor by this fall during the lame duck session to get discussion going on it.  This, they believe, will also bring out people who are opposed to it.  They anticipate introducing it during the first session of 2011. 

     Again, members will be notified and provided with the latest version of the rewrite when it is published.  At that time we need each other to write to the Deputy Director and express our concerns and comments.  There is a far better chance that we can persuade DHS when we speak in numbers.  So please find time to do this.  

     Thank you for being an OASIS Member.  Your support is appreciated!!  We will keep you informed as things change.