By David Eck
Enquirer contributor

HAMILTON - About 75 business owners and others on Friday quizzed Butler County sheriff's officials on Ohio's new concealed-carry law.

The information session was aimed at business owners, and covered their rights and responsibilities under the new law.

One main concern by employers: Does the concealed-carry law mean they cannot ban employees and customers from carrying firearms onto business property? The straight answer is no, Butler County Sheriff's Commander Dave Pratt told the group.

"You have options," he said. "You don't have to let your employees carry if you don't want to."

But to keep customers from bringing firearms onto business property, a posted sign is required, Pratt said.

The law automatically prohibits guns in several types of establishments, including government buildings and school safety zones, police stations, courthouses, airport passenger terminals and any place where alcohol is served for on-premise consumption.

The new law, which will allow permit-holders to carry concealed handguns, goes into effect in April. But it could be at least late May before applications for permits are available, officials said.

Other issues covered at the Friday's session included sign requirements, kinds of handguns allowed and guns in vehicles.

The law has several gray areas, Pratt said.

"We're going to try to educate you on what we know," Chief Deputy Richard Jones said. "We assume that this first year will be the biggest allotment of those (permits). This is a new process for us. It's going to be tough to regulate this."

David R. Lippert, president of Hamilton Caster & Manufacturing Co., said one of his concerns was making sure companies have the right to keep firearms from the workplace. The session helped clarify some issues for him and his company.

"I think they answered some things," he said. "I think it's good to talk about (the law). People want to know what they can do."

E-mail daveck@fuse.net