By Jim Siegel
Gannett Columbus Bureau

COLUMBUS - Ohio lawmakers once again failed to agree on a way to permit people to carry hidden weapons.

Here is an attempt to explain what's going on.

How long have state lawmakers been trying to pass a gun bill?

Since 1996. It gets reintroduced with each new General Assembly.

Why can't lawmakers get it passed?

Well, it's certainly not for a lack of support. Large majorities of the House and Senate back a bill allowing permit holders to carry concealed handguns. The problem is across the street, where Gov. Bob Taft - and George Voinovich before him - have stopped the effort cold with repeated veto threats.

Wait, didn't I read that the Legislature passed this bill already?

Yes, you did, sort of. Actually, the House and Senate have each passed a version of this bill twice in the last 18 months. But they passed different versions and they must work out their differences. Even if they did, a veto by Taft still looms.

So what's Taft's problem with the bill?

Taft doesn't have a beef with the bill ... or maybe he does. It's tough to tell sometimes because Taft's personal opinions about concealed handguns aren't driving his decision to veto it. Instead, Taft will not sign a bill if the Ohio Fraternal Order of Police and Ohio State Highway Patrol oppose it.

FOP concerns about training, defenses and ensuring that only law-abiding people get guns were addressed without too much anguish.

The Highway Patrol is another matter. The group wants severe restrictions on guns in vehicles. If someone under 18 is in the car, the gun must be locked up. The patrol also wants to eliminate a person's defense that he or she is carrying a gun in a vehicle without a permit because they are in possible danger. House members have said they cannot support these provisions.

Do other states with concealed handgun laws show a high rate of troopers shot during traffic stops? Is that why the patrol is so stringent?

No. But, frankly, it doesn't matter, because the Highway Patrol simply doesn't want to deal with loaded guns in cars. Period.

So lawmakers can continue to call the patrol's stance unreasonable. Patrol officials don't care. They'll be happy if Ohio never passes a concealed handgun law.

So under the current bill, where could I carry a gun?

Anywhere you want, except a police station, jail, courthouse - any public building for that matter - place of worship, any room serving alcohol, day care centers, aircraft, vehicles containing anyone under age 18, or any private business that prohibits guns.

So is the latest gun bill dead?

Yes, unless one of the following happens, each of which is fairly unlikely:

• House members reverse their position and vote for the bill in its current form, which Taft has agreed to sign.

• The Highway Patrol reverses its position and sanctions guns in vehicles.

• Taft reverses his position and signs a bill not supported by law enforcement.

• The Supreme Court rules that Ohio's current law banning concealed handguns is unconstitutional. Such a ruling would mean any Ohioan could carry a gun without any type of permit. This would prompt calls for action to establish a permit process and limit where guns can be carried.