Ohio High Court Rejects City Handgun Ordinance

COLUMBUS, Ohio (CN) - The Ohio Supreme Court struck down an ordinance in Clyde, Ohio, that banned licensed handgun owners from carrying concealed handguns in city parks.

The ordinance conflicts with a general law allowing gun owners to "carry a concealed handgun anywhere in this state," Justice O'Donnell ruled in the 4-3 decision.

The decision is a victory for Ohioans for Concealed Carry, who argued that the state law prohibits local governments from infringing on their Second Amendment rights.

In a separate dissent, Justice Pfeifer said the handgun ordinance violates the equal protection clause of the state and federal Constitutions.

"There is no rational basis to distinguish between private and public property owners in regard to their statutory ability to prevent persons from carrying firearms onto their property," Pfeifer wrote.

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