State Sen. Al Cutrona, R-Canfield, introduced the Freedom to Carry Act that makes it easier to transport shotguns and rifles in vehicles without breaking the law, and lowers the minimum age from 21 to 18 for those wanting to obtain a concealed carry license.

“We’re fixing an issue that law-abiding citizens are experiencing,” Cutrona said. “We have a lot of outdated policies and we need to get them in sync with federal laws. We’re trying to avoid people unintentionally breaking the law.”

Under current law, a person can be charged with improper handling of a firearm — a fourth-degree penalty punishable by up to 18 months in prison and a $5,000 fine — for transporting long guns, such as shotguns or rifles, in a vehicle with ammunition either in or near the gun even if a person has a concealed carry license, Cutrona said.

“The state has outdated policies on this,” Cutrona said. “If you’re pulled over going from one property to another to go hunting, it’s a felony if you are transporting long guns in a certain way. This allows law-abiding citizens to carry them during transportation.”

The bill also would lower the age from 21 to 18 for those who wanted to obtain concealed carry licenses, Cutrona said. Currently, those who are 18 in Ohio are permitted to possess and carry firearms, but that is for open carry only, he said.

A similar bill was introduced Oct. 1 in the Ohio House and was referred to its Public Safety Committee. It hasn’t had a hearing to date.

Cutrona said his bill is very similar, but with some modifications. Cutrona said his bill addresses recent federal changes regarding National Firearms Act weapons — such as short-barreled rifles and short-barreled shotguns — while the House bill does not.

Cutrona said his bill aims to ensure state law does not penalize lawful owners beyond existing federal requirements.

Cutrona, who introduced the bill Monday, said he’s received “excellent feedback from my Senate colleagues” on the bill and “I anticipate having hearings in the near future. It’s getting a lot of good traction.”

The bill’s other lead sponsor is state Sen. Terry Johnson, R-McDermott, with six Republican co-sponsors.

Cutrona said: “Updating state firearm laws ensures that Ohio’s Second Amendment rights will continue to be among the strongest in the nation. This piece of legislation protects law-abiding citizens and their Second Amendment rights while working to modernize Ohio’s gun laws and bring our state standards into harmony.”

Cutrona, who is a hunter, said it is “very tedious and concerning if you travel with a hunting rifle or shotgun to put yourself in a position of possibly breaking the law. It needs to be addressed and updated. This will reduce confusion and make it so law-abiding citizens are not unintentionally breaking the law.”