COLUMBUS--The bill, which is currently in committee, states that if you're 21 and legally allowed to possess a weapon, you're legally allowed to carry that weapon for any lawful purpose with no additional licenses, fees or paperwork. 

House Bill 178 would also allow Ohioans to carry knives and other legal weapons for self-defense. 

One of the bill’s sponsors, Republican Ron Hood, says background checks haven't been effective in stopping crime.

'The regulations and restrictions that are in place currently are not stopping violent crime and only serve as barriers for law abiding citizens, who are trying to possess and carry weapons for self-defense and for the defense of their loved ones," says  Representative Ron Hood of Ashville. 

27 representatives, all republican, have signed on as co-sponsors.

Right now, 16 other states, including Kentucky  have similar laws.

Buckeye Firearms Association Executive Director Dean Rieck says the Constitutional Carry Bill has slowly been in the works for almost three decades.

'We've had concealed carry for about 15 years now and the program has worked quite well. And one thing people need to keep in mind is we've had open carry pretty much forever, and that too has worked. So we've been woking towards constitutional carry for many years and we think the time has finally come," says Rieck. 

Many Democratic lawmakers have expressed concerns especially with the suggestion to eliminate the duty to notify officers of a concealed weapon.

Anti-gun violence groups like Moms Demand Action say House Bill 178 is a solution looking for a problem that doesn't exist. They believe in the safety measures already on the books.

“Most Americans agree that we need more common sense gun safety measures in place to protect the public. So the Ohio Fraternal Order of Police is actually opposed to this piece of legislation and Moms Demand Action will be advocating with our representatives to support law enforcement officials in this," says Laura Robertson-Boyd, the Leader of the Columbus Chapter of Moms Demand Action. 

Officials with the Ohio Coalition Against Gun Violence say HB 178 is a dangerous road to travel. 

Founder Toby Hoover says some law makers don't have citizens’ best interest in mind.

'The majority of people are not walking around with a loaded handgun in their pocket, purse or on their hip. And so they're really not representing the rest of us at all. And I think when we're doing that by example, we're teaching our young people that's the way adults live. It all becomes quite common for everybody to have a firearm on them and then it doesn't take long before that's the way to settle an argument," says Hoover. 

Ohio law currently requires those looking to legally carry a handgun to pay $67-dollars for a permit, pass a criminal background check and complete eight hours of training.

Governor DeWine has already signaled that if a Constitutional Carry bill is placed on his desk, he'll sign it.

Plenty of discussion is expected among the legislature in coming weeks and months ahead.