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Vontae Garrett, an Army veteran and former Indiana special deputy, was recently driving home to Indiana after visiting family in Toledo when he saw police lights in his rearview mirror. A Lucas County sheriff’s deputy pulled him over, telling him the car might have been stolen and the plates didn’t match. Garrett says the plates still belonged to the person he bought the vehicle from and he was taking it back to Indiana to complete registration.
Garrett says when the deputy asked if he had a firearm, he answered truthfully — noting that Ohio is an open carry state. Instead of being released, he was arrested and charged with a felony count of improper handling of a firearm in a motor vehicle.
“I was trying to clear it up with the officer, before it even escalated to that situation where I was in handcuffs, to let the officer know I’m a CCW member, I have a lifetime membership but he wasn’t hearing it,” Garrett said.
Garrett’s attorney, state Rep. Josh Williams (R-Sylvania Twp.), says prosecutors are leaning on an Ohio law that bans drivers and passengers from having loaded firearms within reach inside a vehicle. But he argues another section of the law creates an exemption for concealed carry license holders. Garrett holds a lifetime license in Indiana.
“How is that possible in the state of Ohio that you’re going to commit a crime if you tell them and you’re going to commit a crime if you do tell them, even if you have a CCW,” Williams said.
Williams also pointed to the Ohio attorney general’s website, which says the state recognizes concealed handgun licenses issued by every other state.
“Effective March 13th, Ohio recognizes the concealed handgun licenses from any non-resident in any other state,” Williams said.
Williams says he intends to fight the charge in Sylvania Municipal Court.
“Under this idea, that the state of Ohio has, under this prosecuting attorney, every single gun owner can be charged with a felony and could be dismissed down the line if you prove you are not disqualified,” Williams said.
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Garrett says when the deputy asked if he had a firearm, he answered truthfully — noting that Ohio is an open carry state. Instead of being released, he was arrested and charged with a felony count of improper handling of a firearm in a motor vehicle.
“I was trying to clear it up with the officer, before it even escalated to that situation where I was in handcuffs, to let the officer know I’m a CCW member, I have a lifetime membership but he wasn’t hearing it,” Garrett said.
Garrett’s attorney, state Rep. Josh Williams (R-Sylvania Twp.), says prosecutors are leaning on an Ohio law that bans drivers and passengers from having loaded firearms within reach inside a vehicle. But he argues another section of the law creates an exemption for concealed carry license holders. Garrett holds a lifetime license in Indiana.
“How is that possible in the state of Ohio that you’re going to commit a crime if you tell them and you’re going to commit a crime if you do tell them, even if you have a CCW,” Williams said.
Williams also pointed to the Ohio attorney general’s website, which says the state recognizes concealed handgun licenses issued by every other state.
“Effective March 13th, Ohio recognizes the concealed handgun licenses from any non-resident in any other state,” Williams said.
Williams says he intends to fight the charge in Sylvania Municipal Court.
“Under this idea, that the state of Ohio has, under this prosecuting attorney, every single gun owner can be charged with a felony and could be dismissed down the line if you prove you are not disqualified,” Williams said.
Toledo man acquitted of 2022 homicide now faces new, unrelated felony gun charge
Vontae Garrett's attorney, state Rep. Josh Williams, says the charge highlights confusion over Ohio's concealed carry laws.
www.wtol.com
