Court Opinion

ID: 4294004
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2018-07-13 15:47:40.971595+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T14:39:25.099652
License: Public Domain

[Cite as Runions v. Burchett, 2018-Ohio-2754.]

                             IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF OHIO
                                SECOND APPELLATE DISTRICT
                                      CLARK COUNTY

WILLIAM R. RUNIONS                                    :
                                                      :
         Plaintiff-Appellant                          :   Appellate Case No. 2017-CA-62
                                                      :
 v.                                                   :   Trial Court Case No. 16-CV-701
                                                      :
SHERIFF DEBORAH K. BURCHETT,                          :   (Civil Appeal from
   in her capacity as Sheriff of                      :   Common Pleas Court)
   Clark County                                       :
                                                      :
         Defendant-Appellee

                                                 ...........

                                                 OPINION

                             Rendered on the 13th day of July, 2018.

                                                 ...........

STEPHEN D. BEHNKE, Atty. Reg. No. 0072805, 865 S. Dixie Drive, Vandalia, Ohio
45377
      Attorney for Plaintiff-Appellant

ANDREW PICKERING, Atty. Reg. No. 0068770, 50 E. Columbia Street, Suite 449,
Springfield, Ohio 45502
      Attorney for Defendant-Appellee

                                            .............

DONOVAN, J.
                                                                                         -2-

       {¶ 1} Appellant William R. Runions appeals a judgment of the Clark County Court

of Common Pleas that upheld a decision of appellee Clark County Sheriff’s Office (the

“Sheriff”) denying Runions’s application for a concealed carry license (CCL). Runions

filed a timely notice of appeal with this Court on June 29, 2017.

       {¶ 2} In the early 1980s, Runions was convicted of three felonies, to wit: breaking

and entering (1981); receiving stolen property (1981); and uttering a forged check (1984).

After completing his sentences for these convictions, Runions has maintained a law-

abiding lifestyle and committed no further crimes. Over 30 years later, on August 9,

2016, Governor of Ohio John R. Kasich granted Runions a full and unconditional pardon

for all three felonies.

       {¶ 3} Shortly thereafter on September 6, 2016, Runions applied for a CCL with the

Sheriff. Runions attached a copy of his pardon to the CCL application. Basing his

decision on Runions’s three felony convictions, the Sheriff denied his application for a

CCL.

       {¶ 4} On October 21, 2016, Runions, through counsel, filed an administrative

appeal of the Sheriff’s decision in the Clark County Court of Common Pleas.             On

February 21, 2017, Runions filed a brief in support of his administrative appeal. The

Sheriff filed her brief in opposition to Runions’s administrative appeal on March 10, 2017,

and Runions filed a reply brief on March 20, 2017. Thereafter on March 30, 2017, the

trial court filed a brief entry overruling Runions’s administrative appeal, finding that his

three felony convictions render him ineligible for a CCL.

       {¶ 5} It is from this decision that Runions now appeals.
                                                                                        -3-

                                  Standard of Review

      {¶ 6} Pursuant to R.C. 2923.125(D)(2)(b), a decision of a county sheriff to deny an

application for a concealed carry license is appealable under R.C. 119.12 to the common

pleas court. R.C. 119.12 provides the standard of review for the common pleas court:

             The court may affirm the order of the agency complained of in the

      appeal if it finds, upon consideration of the entire record and any additional

      evidence the court has admitted, that the order is supported by reliable,

      probative, and substantial evidence and is in accordance with law. In the

      absence of this finding, it may reverse, vacate, or modify the order or make

      such other ruling as is supported by reliable, probative, and substantial

      evidence and is in accordance with law.

      {¶ 7} As discussed by the Supreme Court of Ohio in Bartchy v. State Bd. of Edn.,

120 Ohio St. 3d 205, 2008–Ohio–4826, 897 N.E.2d 1096, ¶ 37, a review by the common

pleas court of an administrative agency’s decision requires a factual inquiry and a legal

inquiry. Both the common pleas court and the appellate court must give deference to

the agency's resolution of any evidentiary conflicts, and factual findings are presumed to

be correct, absent an abuse of discretion. Id.      However, questions of law must be

reviewed de novo to determine whether the administrative order is in accordance with

law. Anguiano v. Ohio Dept. of Edn., 2d Dist. Darke No. 2014–CA–2, 2014–Ohio–2810,

¶ 6, citing Bartchy at ¶ 43. The case before us requires a determination whether the trial

court properly interpreted and applied the statutory qualifications for obtaining a

concealed carry license. “The interpretation of a statute involves a purely legal question.
                                                                                         -4-

Thus, we conduct a de novo review of a trial court's judgment interpreting a statute and

afford no deference to the trial court's interpretation of a statute.” Salgado v. Montgomery

Cty. Sheriff, 2d Dist. Montgomery Nos. 26502, 26572, 2015-Ohio-3387, ¶ 9, citing

Washington Cty. Home v. Ohio Dept. of Health, 178 Ohio App. 3d 78, 2008–Ohio–4342,

896 N.E.2d 1011, ¶ 27 (4th Dist.).

       {¶ 8} Runions’s sole assignment of error is as follows:

              THE LOWER COURT ERRED BY UPHOLDING THE SHERIFF’S

       DENIAL OF MR. RUNIONS’ C[C]L BECAUSE HIS CONVICTIONS WERE

       PARDONED BY THE GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF OHIO.

       {¶ 9} In his sole assignment, Runions contends that the trial court erred when it

upheld the Sherriff’s decision denying his application for a CCL because he had received

a pardon for his felony convictions. Specifically, Runions argues that an unconditional

pardon relieves a CCL applicant from a disability by operation of law pursuant to R.C.

2923.125(D)(4). Therefore, Runions argues that since he was relieved from the disability

when he was pardoned, the Sheriff could not use his felony convictions as a basis upon

which to deny his CCL application.

                                 Effect of a Full Pardon

       {¶ 10} In State v. Boykin, 138 Ohio St. 3d 97, 2013-Ohio-4582, 4 N.E.3d 980, the

Ohio Supreme Court stated the following:

              The term “pardon” is not defined or further explained in the

       Constitution. Sterling v. Drake, 29 Ohio St. 457, 460 (1876). We have

       stated that “[a] full and absolute pardon releases the offender from the entire
                                                                                           -5-

       punishment prescribed for his offense, and from all the disabilities

       consequent on his conviction.” State ex rel. Atty. Gen. v. Peters, 43 Ohio

       St. 629, 650, 4 N.E. 81 (1885). Similarly, the General Assembly defines

       “pardon” as “the remission of penalty by the governor in accordance with

       the power vested in the governor by the constitution.” R.C. 2967.01(B). R.C.

       2967.04(B) further provides that “[a]n unconditional pardon relieves the

       person to whom it is granted of all disabilities arising out of the conviction or

       convictions from which it is granted.”

Id. at ¶ 20.

       {¶ 11} Nevertheless, the Ohio Supreme Court has also held that “a pardon

provides only forgiveness, not forgetfulness; [t]he pardon does not wipe the slate clean.

(Emphasis added; citations omitted.) State v. Radcliff, 142 Ohio St. 3d 78, 2015-Ohio-235,

28 N.E.3d 69, ¶ 36.

       {¶ 12} Along the same vein as the Radcliff court, the U.S. Supreme Court has

discussed the effect of a pardon. See Angle v. Chicago, St. Paul, Minneapolis & Omaha

Ry. Co., 151 U.S. 1, 19, 14 S. Ct. 240, 38 L. Ed. 55 (1894) (although an executive pardon

relieves the wrongdoer from public punishment, it does not relieve the wrongdoer from

civil liability); Burdick v. United States, 236 U.S. 79, 94, 35 S. Ct. 267, 59 L. Ed. 476 (1915)

(a pardon “carries an imputation of guilt; acceptance a confession of it”); Carlesi v. New

York, 233 U.S. 51, 59, 34 S. Ct. 576, 58 L. Ed. 843 (1914) (in sentencing a defendant as

a habitual offender, a court may consider “past offenses committed by the accused as a

circumstance of aggravation, even although for such past offenses there had been a

pardon granted”); Nixon v. United States, 506 U.S. 224, 232, 113 S. Ct. 732, 122 L.Ed.2d
                                                                                        -6-

1 (1993) (the granting of a pardon is in no sense an overturning of a judgment of

conviction by some other tribunal; it is [a]n executive action that mitigates or sets aside

punishment for a crime).

                     The Statutory Scheme for Obtaining a CCL

       {¶ 13} The process of obtaining a concealed carry license is outlined in R.C.

2923.125. Residents of Ohio can submit a completed application form to the sheriff of

the county in which the applicant resides or an adjacent county. R.C. 2923.125(B). The

sheriff must provide the application form and a pamphlet created by the Ohio Attorney

General. R.C. 2923.125(A).      The applicant must attach a color photo, competency

certifications, and an application fee. R.C. 2923.125(B). Upon receipt of a completed

form, the sheriff is directed to complete a criminal background check, and if all

requirements are met, the sheriff must issue a license within forty-five days. R.C.

2923.125(D). The applicant must be at least 21 years old, must not be a fugitive from

justice, must not be under indictment or charged with any felony or certain other offenses,

must not have been adjudicated as mentally incompetent, must not be the subject of a

civil protection order, must not be an unlawful user of any controlled substances, must

not have been dishonorably discharged from the armed services, must not have

renounced U.S. citizenship, and must not have been adjudicated a delinquent child for

committing specified offenses. Id.

       {¶ 14} R.C. 2923.125(D)(1)(e) states that a sheriff shall issue an individual a CCL

if “the applicant has not been convicted of or pleaded guilty to a felony ***.” (Emphasis

added.) Therefore, if an applicant has been convicted of a felony, he or she is generally

ineligible for a CCL, and the sheriff must deny the application. However, pursuant to
                                                                                         -7-

R.C. 2923.125(D)(4), there are two exceptions for when an applicant has been convicted

of a felony, to wit:

       (4) If an applicant has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to an offense

       identified in division (D)(1)(e), (f), or (h) of this section or has been

       adjudicated a delinquent child for committing an act or violation identified in

       any of those divisions, and if a court has ordered the sealing or

       expungement of the records of that conviction, guilty plea, or adjudication

       pursuant to sections 2151.355 to 2151.358, sections 2953.31 to 2953.36,

       or section 2953.37 of the Revised Code or the applicant has been relieved

       under operation of law or legal process from the disability imposed pursuant

       to section 2923.13 of the Revised Code relative to that conviction, guilty

       plea, or adjudication, the sheriff with whom the application was submitted

       shall not consider the conviction, guilty plea, or adjudication in making a

       determination under division (D)(1) or (F) of this section * * *.

Id. The first instance where a sheriff “shall not consider” an applicant’s felony conviction

is when the conviction has been sealed or expunged pursuant to R.C. 2953.31 through

2953.36, and 2953.37.      The other situation where a sheriff must disregard a felony

conviction occurs when an applicant for a CCL has been relieved from the disability to

possess or carry a firearm pursuant to R.C. 2923.13.

       {¶ 15} R.C. 2923.13 states in pertinent part:

       (A) Unless relieved from disability under operation of law or legal process,

       no person shall knowingly acquire, have, carry, or use any firearm or

       dangerous ordnance, if any of the following apply:
                                                                                        -8-

       ***

       (2) The person is under indictment for or has been convicted of any felony

       offense of violence * * *.

              A Pardon Does Not Relieve a Disability by Operation of Law

       {¶ 16} The interpretation of a statute is a question of law which we review de novo.

State v. Vanzandt, 142 Ohio St. 3d 223, 28 N.E.3d 1267, 2015–Ohio–236, ¶ 6. The

Supreme Court of Ohio has explained that:

       When analyzing statutory provisions, our paramount concern is to ascertain

       and give effect to the intention of the General Assembly. Henry v. Cent.

       Natl. Bank, 16 Ohio St. 2d 16, 242 N.E.2d 342 (1968), paragraph two of the

       syllabus. We primarily seek to determine legislative intent from the plain

       language of a statute. Summerville v. Forest Park, 128 Ohio St. 3d 221,

       2010–Ohio–6280, 943 N.E.2d 522, ¶ 18. “If the meaning of the statute is

       unambiguous and definite, it must be applied as written and no further

       interpretation is necessary.” State ex rel. Savarese v. Buckeye Local School

       Dist. Bd. of Edn., 74 Ohio St. 3d 543, 545, 660 N.E.2d 463 (1996). An

       unambiguous statute must be applied by giving effect to all of its language,

       without adding or deleting any words chosen by the General Assembly.

       Armstrong v. John R. Jurgensen Co., 136 Ohio St. 3d 58, 2013–Ohio–2237,

       990 N.E.2d 568, ¶ 12.

Id. at ¶ 7.

       {¶ 17} Runions argues that based upon the last antecedent rule, the phrase “under
                                                                                          -9-

operation of law” is not tied to the later phrase “pursuant to section 2923.13” in R.C.

2923.125(D)(4). Rather, Runions contends that within the “relief from disability” category

of the felony exceptions contained in R.C. 2923.125(D)(4), there are two subcategories

of exceptions that will further serve to exclude a felony conviction from consideration

when applying for a CCL, to wit: 1) under operation of law; and 2) relief pursuant to R.C.

2923.13.   This rule of construction states, “ ‘[R]eferential and qualifying words and

phrases, where no contrary intention appears, refer solely to the last antecedent * * *.’ ”

Indep. Ins. Agents of Ohio v. Fabe, 63 Ohio St. 3d 310, 314, 587 N.E.2d 814 (1992),

quoting Carter v. Youngstown, 146 Ohio St. 203, 209, 65 N.E.2d 63 (1946).

       {¶ 18} Here, Runions points out that the phrase “legal process” stands between

the phrase “under operation of law” and the phrase “pursuant to section 2923.13.”

Therefore, Runions argues that based upon the last antecedent rule, the phrase

“operation of law” is to be read separately, while the phrase “legal process” is qualified by

the phrase “pursuant to section 2923.13.”         Based upon his interpretation of R.C.

2923.125(D)(4), Runions argues that an unconditional pardon relieves an applicant from

a disability by operation of law. We disagree.

       {¶ 19} In support of his argument, Runions cites the Ohio Supreme Court case of

Fabe. Fabe, however, was a declaratory judgment seeking an interpretation of R.C.

3905.01(B) and 3905.04. Id. at syllabus. Utilizing the last antecedent rule, the court

stated the following:

       * * * [Appellants'] suggested construction would alter the plain and

       unambiguous language of R.C. 3905.04. The phrase “directly or indirectly”

       modifies its antecedent, “solicit, place or effect such insurance.”       The
                                                                                         -10-

      statute restricts the indirect placement of insurance on property for which

      the applicant is an agent, custodian, vendor, bailee, trustee or payee. * * *

      [Appellants] would apply the words “directly or indirectly,” which appear in

      the middle of the paragraph, to the list of relationships appearing at the end

      of the paragraph. Thus, under * * * [appellants'] construction, the statute

      would restrict the placement of insurance on property for which the applicant

      is directly or indirectly an agent, custodian etc. Such a construction is not

      in accord with the plain wording of the statute. The phrase “directly or

      indirectly” cannot be moved from one place in a sentence to another as part

      of statutory construction.

      {¶ 20} In our view, the last antecedent rule has no applicability in the instant case.

Rather, we are guided by the general rule of statutory construction expressio unius est

exclusio alterius, the expression of one or more items of a class implies that those not

identified are to be excluded. State v. Droste, 83 Ohio St. 3d 36, 39, 697 N.E.2d 620

(1998). It is well recognized that a court cannot read words into a statute but must give

effect to the words used in the statute. See State ex rel. McDulin v. Indus. Comm., 89
Ohio St. 3d 390, 392, 732 N.E.2d 367 (2000).

      {¶ 21} As previously stated, R.C. 2923.125(D)(4) sets forth two instances where a

sheriff “shall not consider” a CCL applicant’s felony conviction, to wit: 1) when the

conviction has been sealed; and 2) when the disability preventing the individual from

carrying a weapon has been removed “under operation of law or legal process * * *

pursuant to section 2923.13 of the Revised Code.”         Mirroring the language in R.C.

2923.125(D)(4), R.C. 2923.13 states in pertinent part “[u]nless relieved from disability
                                                                                          -11-

under operation of law or legal process, no person shall knowingly acquire, have, carry,

or use any firearm or dangerous ordnance * * *.” (Emphasis added.) Given its plain

meaning, R.C. 2923.13(A) permits relief from disability by “operation of law” and/or “legal

process.” Similarly, in R.C. 2923.125(D)(4), the phrase “pursuant to section 2923.13”

clearly acts as a qualifier for both “legal process” and “under operation of law.” To

interpret R.C. 2923.125(D)(4) in the manner in which Runions suggests would effectively

add language to the statute which has not been included.           Rather, a pardon is an

executive action which does not render Runions qualified for a CCL. Simply put, the

pardon did not erase all consequences of his convictions, and a pardon is not one of the

exceptions explicitly denominated in R.C. 2923.125(D)(4). The pardon did not act to

relieve Runions from a disability by operation of law or legal process pursuant to the

relevant statutory language in R.C. 2923.13(A).

                     A Pardon Cannot Act to Remove a Disability

                        That Does Not Exist Under R.C. 2923.13

       {¶ 22} As previously stated, while an unconditional pardon acts to remove all

“disabilities,” “a pardon provides only forgiveness, not forgetfulness; * * * The pardon does

not wipe the slate clean.” Radcliff, 142 Ohio St. 3d 78, 2015-Ohio-235, 28 N.E.3d 69, ¶ 36.

Nevertheless, one situation where a pardon may require a sheriff to disregard a felony

conviction is when the applicant has been relieved under operation of law or legal process

from the disability imposed pursuant to R.C. 2923.13. R.C. 2923.125(D)(4).            Stated

another way, if the felony conviction for which the CCL applicant was pardoned was a

conviction which made it illegal for the applicant to possess or carry a weapon under R.C.
                                                                                          -12-

2923.13, the pardon could have the effect of removing the “disability” imposed by virtue

of the felony conviction. The felony conviction, however, must be one that actually

creates a “disability.”

       {¶ 23} R.C. 2923.13(A)(1-5) provides a limited definition of “disability” and prohibits

a person from knowingly acquiring, having, carrying, or using any firearm or dangerous

ordnance unless that person has been relieved from the disability as provided by R.C.

2923.14. Of the five factors listed, the only one pertinent to the instant case is R.C.

2923.13(A)(2), which states that “[t]he person * * * has been convicted of any felony

offense of violence * * *.

       {¶ 24} “Offense of violence” is defined in R.C. 2901.01(A)(9) as any of the

following:

       (a) A violation of section 2903.01, 2903.02, 2903.03, 2903.04, 2903.11,

       2903.12, 2903.13, 2903.15, 2903.21, 2903.211, 2903.22, 2905.01,

       2905.02, 2905.11, 2905.32, 2907.02, 2907.03, 2907.05, 2909.02, 2909.03,

       2909.24, 2911.01, 2911.02, 2911.11, 2917.01, 2917.02, 2917.03, 2917.31,

       2919.25, 2921.03, 2921.04, 2921.34, or 2923.161, of division (A)(1) of

       section 2903.34, of division (A)(1), (2), or (3) of section 2911.12, or of

       division (B)(1), (2), (3), or (4) of section 2919.22 of the Revised Code or

       felonious sexual penetration in violation of former section 2907.12 of the

       Revised Code;

       (b) A violation of an existing or former municipal ordinance or law of this or

       any other state or the United States, substantially equivalent to any section,

       division, or offense listed in division (A)(9)(a) of this section;
                                                                                        -13-

       (c) An offense, other than a traffic offense, under an existing or former

       municipal ordinance or law of this or any other state or the United States,

       committed purposely or knowingly, and involving physical harm to persons

       or a risk of serious physical harm to persons;

       (d) A conspiracy or attempt to commit, or complicity in committing, any

       offense under division (A)(9)(a), (b), or (c) of this section.

       {¶ 25} As previously stated, the felonies of which Runions was convicted, and later

pardoned, are as follows: 1) breaking and entering, in violation of R.C. 2911.13; 2)

receiving stolen property, in violation of R.C. 2913.51; and uttering a forged check, in

violation of R.C. 2913.31.     Although all of the offenses committed by Runions are

felonies, none of them are “offenses of violence” pursuant to R.C. 2901.01(A)(9).

Additionally, we note that Runions’s felony convictions are not from another state, they

are not “substantially equivalent” to any of the offenses listed in subsection (a) of R.C.

2901.01(A)(9), nor do any of the convictions “involve[e] physical harm to persons or a risk

of serious physical harm to persons.” R.C. 2901.01(A)(9)(a)-(c).        Finally, since R.C.

2901.01(A)(9)(a)-(c) are not applicable to Runions’s convictions, subsection (d),

regarding a conspiracy, attempt, or complicity to commit any of the listed offenses is also

equally inapplicable.

       {¶ 26} Since Runions was not convicted of a felony “offense of violence” pursuant

to R.C. 2923.13(A)(2), none of his convictions caused him to be placed under disability

to carry or possess a firearm pursuant to R.C. 2923.13. It follows then that because

Runions was not under disability, there is no disability to remove. Thus, the pardon did

not relieve Runions “under operation of law or legal process from the disability imposed
                                                                                        -14-

pursuant to section 2923.13 of the Revised Code.” R.C. 2923.125(D)(4). Therefore, the

sheriff was required to consider Runions’s prior felony convictions in determining his

eligibility for a CCL.

       {¶ 27} In In re Wells, 11th Dist. Lake No. 2014–L–040, 2015–Ohio–2606, the

appellant sought relief of a disability imposed under R.C. 2923.13 because of his

conviction for possession of criminal tools, but the court observed that this particular

conviction did not create a disability under the statute. Therefore, the appellant could

not be granted relief and would remain ineligible for a concealed weapon permit.

       {¶ 28} The court found that the “plain language of R.C. 2923.14 limits the relief

procedures to individuals who are precluded from acquiring, having, carrying, or using

firearms due to a conviction that imposes a statutory disability.” Id. at ¶ 16. The court

then reasoned that R.C. 2923.14 mimics the language of R.C. 2923.13, with both statutes

discussing firearm disabilities, so “that the scope of the procedures outlined in R.C.

2923.14 apply only to those persons entitled to seek relief from a disability imposed by

one of the statutory factors set forth under R.C. 2923.13(A)(1)–(5).” Id. The Wells court

also referred to appellant’s inability to obtain a CCL as a “collateral consequence” of his

felony conviction for possession of criminal tools. The court noted that because the

appellant was not convicted of an offense which created a disability pursuant to R.C.

2923.13, he was free to “acquire, have, use, or otherwise carry a firearm,” but he

nevertheless remained ineligible for a CCL. The Wells court stated as follows:

               Appellant's position appears to be, in part, premised upon his

       assumption that the ability to apply for and obtain a conceal-and-carry

       license is, or should be, viewed as tantamount to the more general privilege
                                                                                           -15-

       of acquiring, having, using or otherwise carrying a firearm. We decline to

       conflate these privileges.

Id. at ¶ 19.

       {¶ 29} Conversely, Runions relies on two case from the Third District Court of

Appeals, In re Reed, 3d Dist. Marion 9-14-44, 2015-Ohio-2742, and In re Application of

Mullins, 3d Dist. Marion 9-14-43, 2015-Ohio-2743. In Reed, the appellant had two prior

felonies for breaking and entering and welfare theft. In Mullins, the appellant had prior

convictions for misdemeanor drug offenses. In both cases, the trial court granted the

appellants’ applications for a CCL, relying upon R.C. 2923.14(F), which states as follows:

       (F) Relief from disability granted pursuant to this section restores the

       applicant to all civil firearm rights to the full extent enjoyed by any citizen

       * * *.

       {¶ 30} Using virtually the same language and reasoning in both Reed and Mullins,

the court of appeals stated the following:

                R.C. 2923.14 is unambiguous, and thus, we must give effect to its

       plain meaning. See Slingluff v. Weaver, 66 Ohio St. 621 (1902), paragraph

       two of the syllabus. Here, Reed is prohibited from carrying a firearm that

       is concealed.     R.C. 2923.14 is quite clear that “[a]ny person who is

       prohibited from * * * carrying * * * firearms” may seek relief under the statute.

       Since R.C. 2923.14 provides relief for a person who cannot carry a

       concealed firearm, it is a mechanism available for Reed and those similarly

       situated.

Reed at ¶ 14.
                                                                                         -16-

       {¶ 31} Upon review, we conclude that the appellate court’s holding in Reed and

Mullins completely ignores the language of R.C. 2923.125(D)(4) that only allows a sheriff

to disregard convictions if “the applicant has been relieved under operation of law or legal

process from the disability imposed by section 2923.13 of the Revised Code.”

(Emphasis added.) Ohio's statutes on being unable to possess a firearm and being

unable to conceal a firearm are different, and the inability to obtain a CCL because of

R.C. 2923.125(D)(4) does not equate to a disability under R.C. 2923.13.           As such,

Runions was not able to request relief through reliance on R.C. 2923.14, because that

statute is specific to defendants for whom a disability attaches to his or her conviction.

No such disability attached to Runions’s felony convictions, and he may carry and

possess firearms without the aid of relief from the court. Therefore, the procedures

pursuant to R.C. 2923.14 are inapplicable to Runions’s felony convictions, and he cannot

seek relief under that statutory provision. See Terry v. State, 12th Dist. Clermont No.

CA2016–11–078, 2017-Ohio-7805. Therefore, Reed and Mullins are inapplicable to the

instant case.

       {¶ 32} As previously stated, Runions was not convicted of a felony “offense of

violence” pursuant to R.C. 2923.13(A)(2).       Therefore, none of Runions’s convictions

caused him to be placed under disability to carry or possess a firearm pursuant to R.C.

2923.13. Because Runions was not under disability, there is no disability to remove.

Accordingly, the pardon did not relieve Runions “under operation of law or legal process

from the disability imposed pursuant to section 2923.13 of the Revised Code.” R.C.

2923.125(D)(4).     Therefore, the sheriff was required to consider Runions’s felony

convictions in determining his eligibility for a CCL.
                                                                                          -17-

       {¶ 33} In Ohio, although the right to bear arms is fundamental, it is also subject to

limitation. Klein v. Leis, 99 Ohio St. 3d 537, 539, 2003–Ohio–4779, 795 N.E.2d 633.

Furthermore, “[i]t is the province of the legislature to regulate the carrying of firearms and

enactments for that purpose are valid and constitutional.” State v. Hogan, 63 Ohio St. 202

(1900). “The legislature's decision to limit or restrict the ability of a convicted felon to

obtain a conceal-and-carry license is a matter of policy, the constitutionality of which is

not at issue.” Wells, 11th Dist. Lake No. 2014-L-040, 2015-Ohio-2606, at ¶ 18.

       {¶ 34} Since Runions’s felony convictions did not create a firearm disability, he

may acquire, have, use, or otherwise carry a firearm. Nevertheless, Runions is still

ineligible for a CCL. Pursuant to R.C. 2923.125(D)(4), the sheriff could not disregard

Runions’s felony convictions despite the fact he was pardoned. In order for a sheriff to

disregard pardoned convictions for the purpose of granting a CCL application, a

legislative amendment is required.        Until the legislature decides to amend R.C.

2923.125(D)(4), a sheriff cannot ignore pardoned felony convictions that do not impose a

firearm disability pursuant to R.C. 2923.13.

       {¶ 35} Runions’s sole assignment of error is overruled.

       {¶ 36} The judgment of the trial court is affirmed.

                                          .............

WELBAUM, P.J., and TUCKER, J., concur.

Copies mailed to:

Andrew Pickering
Stephen Behnke
Hon. Douglas M. Rastatter
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