Preemption laws don't get much attention until you're the guy who didn't realize the city limits moved and suddenly you're "in violation." Ohio is trying to fix exactly that situation, and it's worth paying attention to even if you don't live there.

A gun owner following Ohio state law shouldn't become a criminal because he drove through the wrong city.

That sentence right there is the whole argument. If you carry regularly, compete across county lines, or run to the range with standard-capacity mags, the current patchwork isn't a theoretical problem — it's a live one.

Cities that oppose preemption often argue local conditions justify local rules. But that argument cuts both ways — it also means rural gun owners living near city limits can get caught up in urban ordinances that were never meant for them.

This is the part that gets overlooked in these debates. It's not just about city folks wanting stricter rules — it's about the guy who farms outside the city limits and doesn't realize his commute now puts him in legal jeopardy. That's a real person who didn't change anything about his behavior.

Have you ever been caught off guard by a local ordinance that conflicted with state law — either in Ohio or somewhere else you were traveling through?

Read the full article in The Handbook → | By Steve Duskett