Opinion

State v. Barber

2023 Ohio 2991

Court: Ohio Court of Appeals
Filed: Aug 25, 2023
Status: Published
On the bench: Zmuda
Cited by: 3 cases
Authority: More cited than 55.8%

holding same and collecting cases

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The opinion

[Cite as State v. Barber, 2023-Ohio-2991.]

IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF OHIO

SIXTH APPELLATE DISTRICT

LUCAS COUNTY

State of Ohio Court of Appeals No. L-22-1278

Appellee Trial Court No. CR0202202101

Frederick Barber, Jr. DECISION AND JUDGMENT

Appellant Decided: August 25, 2023

*****

Julia R. Bates, Lucas County Prosecuting Attorney,

Lauren Carpenter and Seth A. Stanley, Assistant Prosecuting

Attorneys, for appellee.

Henry Schaefer, for appellant.

*****

ZMUDA, J.

I. Introduction

{¶ 1} Appellant, Frederick Barber, appeals the judgment of the Lucas County

Court of Common Pleas, sentencing him to one year of community control after

accepting his no contest plea and finding him guilty of attempt to commit improperly

handling firearms in a motor vehicle. Finding no error, we affirm.

A. Facts and Procedural Background

{¶ 2} This case stems from a traffic stop involving appellant that occurred on

April 3, 2022. On that day, police observed appellant run a red light and initiated a traffic

stop. Upon approaching appellant’s vehicle, officers smelled a strong odor of marijuana.

During the ensuing interaction, appellant informed the officers that he was in possession

of a firearm that was located in his glove box. A loaded magazine was also located on

the left side of the driver’s seat. Appellant did not have a permit to carry a concealed

weapon at the time.

{¶ 3} Eventually, the officers arrested appellant and conducted a search of his

vehicle. During the search, the officers discovered marijuana in an amount suitable for

personal use in the center console and between the driver’s seat and the center console.

{¶ 4} On July 6, 2022, appellant was indicted and charged with one count each of

carrying concealed weapons in violation of R.C. 2923.12(A)(2) and (F)(1), and

improperly handling firearms in a motor vehicle in violation of R.C. 2923.16(B) and (I),

felonies of the fourth degree. On July 27, 2022, appellant appeared for arraignment and

entered a plea of not guilty to the aforementioned offenses.

{¶ 5} At a pretrial hearing on September 14, 2022, defense counsel informed the

trial court that Ohio law concerning carrying concealed weapons (R.C. 2923.111)

changed on June 14, 2022, and now allows carrying concealed weapons without a permit.

Thus, counsel asked the court to amend the plea agreement the parties were negotiating to

reflect that change and its impact on the trial court’s sentencing options under R.C.

1.58(B).1 Defense counsel conceded that R.C. 1.58(B) only affected the trial court’s

sentencing of appellant, not whether appellant did, in fact, commit the crimes with which

he was charged. However, because Ohio law no longer punishes carrying a concealed

weapon without a permit and appellant was not yet sentenced, counsel argued that there

was no longer a sentence available to impose upon appellant.

{¶ 6} In response, the state argued that appellant was not entitled to the benefit of

R.C. 2923.111 because he was not a qualified adult able to possess a concealed firearm

due to his marijuana possession and his admission that the marijuana was for personal

consumption. Upon consideration of the parties’ arguments, the trial court took the

matter under advisement and indicated its desire to “set [the matter] for [September] 29th

with some argument.” The court further noted that it would not accept a plea from

appellant “until we can give him full knowledge of what is going to happen.”

Consequently, the trial court informed the parties that it would conduct its own research

on the sentencing issue raised by appellant and directed the parties to be prepared to

address the issue at the subsequent hearing.

R.C. 1.58(B) provides: “(B) If the penalty, forfeiture, or punishment for any offense is

reduced by a reenactment or amendment of a statute, the penalty, forfeiture, or

punishment, if not already imposed, shall be imposed according to the statute as

amended.”

{¶ 7} On September 29, 2022, appellant appeared for a plea hearing. At the outset

of the hearing, the parties revisited the issue previously raised at the September 14, 2022

pretrial. Defense counsel reiterated that the change to R.C. 2923.111 “is not retrospective

in terms of my client not being charged with the offense. The offense itself he’s guilty of

except for the sentencing portion of the offense.” The state responded that appellant

“committed the crime, yes, prior to the bill being signed, but even if we went forward

today with the same facts we would still be able to prove our case on this charge. Judge,

we simply state that there is nothing that has changed quite honestly. There is no

reduction in the punishment for these crimes. No reduction as to the fines either.”

{¶ 8} During the discussion, the state acknowledged that R.C. 2923.111 granted

“certain qualifying adults to have the same carrying concealed handgun privileges as

licensed carrying concealed holders have,” and thus “simply expanded the ability to carry

to a larger class.” The court responded by observing that “the indicted offenses have not

been amended.” Defense counsel agreed, but noted that “the indicted offense does stem

from my client not having a concealed carry permit * * *, which is no longer required.”

{¶ 9} The court, focused on the question of whether appellant was entitled to the

retroactive application of R.C. 2923.111, replied that “while the acts subsequently

became lawful, the prior conduct was not at the time. A statute is presumed to be

prospective in its operation unless it speaks specifically to the retrospective. If we look at

[R.C. 2923.111] it is silent as to whether or not it has any retrospective application.”

Referencing the interplay between R.C. 1.58(B) and the amendments to R.C. 2923.111,

the court stated: “I could not impose a punishment that didn’t exist, but it didn’t amend

the punishment. The punishment still exists.” Thus, the trial court determined that the

conduct was criminal when appellant committed it, and the penalty for such criminal

conduct survived the amendments to R.C. 2923.111.

{¶ 10} Thereafter, the trial court recessed and asked the parties to further discuss

this issue in an attempt to reach an agreement. When the parties returned, the following

colloquy took place:

[DEFENSE COUNSEL]: Well, Your Honor, the nuance part of [R.C.

2923.111] with regard to qualified adult. Your Honor, my client, even with

an Ohio medical marijuana license to possess it, still would not be a

qualifying adult because of federal law, Your Honor. Even though federal

law would not be enforced against him nor has it been to anybody in Lucas

County, at least that I know of, since the referendum made marijuana

medically legal in Ohio.

However, technically he would not be a qualifying individual, and I

would expect that the Lucas County Prosecutor’s Office, and perhaps the

Sheriff’s Office, would issue some sort of press release notifying every

medical marijuana user in the area they are not permitted to open carry in

states as long as they have that license, because nobody else would know.

THE COURT: I’m sorry. So that’s a slightly different twist than

what you went in there with.

[DEFENSE COUNSEL]: Correct.

THE COURT: Is the State taking a position based on the fact that he

is not a qualifying person?

[THE STATE]: Judge, that is part of what we discussed back there

when reviewing [R.C. 2923.111(A)(2)]. We reviewed the definition of a

qualifying adult. Part A says 21 years of age or older, which Mr. Barber

would be. Part two says not legally prohibited from possessing or receiving

a firearm under 18 U.S.C. 922(g)(1)-(9).

Specifically, in 18 U.S.C. we would be looking at section three, the

part where it says who is an unlawful user of or addicted to any controlled

substance as defined in section 102 of the Controlled Substances Act, 21

U.S.C. 802.

***

In this case Mr. Barber had marijuana on him. He informed the

officers on this case it was for personal use.

THE COURT: Did he have a medical marijuana –

[DEFENSE COUNSEL]: Subsequently he has gotten a medical

marijuana card, but according to the Prosecution’s definition it still

wouldn’t matter.

THE COURT: Well, let’s just keep what we do know. He didn’t

have a medical marijuana card at the time so that does make him an

unlawful user, correct?

[DEFENSE COUNSEL]: At the time.

THE COURT: At the time.

[DEFENSE COUNSEL]: Present day it would not – well, actually

present day it still would – still would present day.

***

According to the definition with regard to who is not a qualified

person anybody who has a medical marijuana card in the State of Ohio

would still not be a qualified person because of the Federal statute that still

criminalizes marijuana even though it has not been enforced.

{¶ 11} After defense counsel agreed that appellant was an unlawful user of

marijuana at the time of his arrest, and was therefore not a “qualifying adult” under R.C.

2923.111(A)(2)(b), the trial court asked appellant, “Are you willing to go forward with

the plea at this time, or how do you wish to handle this?” Defense counsel responded,

“We can go forward with a plea, Your Honor.”

{¶ 12} Ultimately, defense counsel indicated appellant’s willingness to move

forward with the parties’ plea agreement, under which the state agreed to dismiss the

charge for carrying concealed weapons and amend the remaining charge to attempt to

commit improperly handling firearms in a motor vehicle in violation of R.C. 2923.16(B)

and (I), a felony of the fifth degree. Notably, defense counsel did not raise any

constitutional challenges or argue that 18 U.S.C. 922(g)(3) was inapplicable to appellant

at the plea hearing.

{¶ 13} Thereafter, the trial court conducted a Crim.R. 11 colloquy with appellant,

received the state’s recitation of the factual predicate for the amended charge, and

accepted appellant’s no contest plea. Ultimately, the trial court found appellant guilty of

attempt to commit improperly handling firearms in a motor vehicle. The trial court

immediately proceeded to sentencing, ordering appellant to serve 12 months of

community control.

{¶ 14} On October 21, 2022, the trial court journalized its judgment entry. On

November 21, 2022, appellant filed his timely notice of appeal, which he amended with

leave of court on December 2, 2022.

B. Assignments of Error

{¶ 15} On appeal, appellant assigns the following errors for our review:

I. 18 U.S.C. 922(g) is facially unconstitutional and the prosecution

cannot rely on it for a conviction.

II. The court erred in finding Mr. Barber guilty of 2923.16(B),

because 2923.16(B) is unconstitutional.

{¶ 16} Because appellant’s assignments of error are interrelated, we will address

them simultaneously.

II. Analysis

{¶ 17} In his assignments of error, appellant argues that the trial court erred in

finding him guilty of attempt to commit improperly handling firearms in a motor vehicle

because 18 U.S.C. 922(g) and R.C. 2923.16(B) are unconstitutional.

{¶ 18} As noted above, appellant pled no contest and was found guilty of attempt

to commit improperly handling firearms in a motor vehicle in violation of R.C.

2923.16(B), which provides: “[n]o person shall knowingly transport or have a loaded

firearm in a motor vehicle in such a manner that the firearm is accessible to the operator

or any passenger without leaving the vehicle.” Notably, the prohibition against

possession of a loaded firearm in a motor vehicle generally does not apply to one who has

“been issued a concealed handgun license that is valid at the time in question.” R.C.

2923.16(F)(5)(a).

{¶ 19} Further, under the recently-enacted R.C. 2923.111, qualifying adults are no

longer required to obtain a permit to carry a concealed handgun that is not a restricted

firearm. Relevant here, R.C. 2923.111(B) provides:

(B) Notwithstanding any other Revised Code section to the contrary:

(1) A person who is a qualifying adult shall not be required to obtain a

concealed handgun license in order to carry in this state, under authority of

division (B)(2) of this section, a concealed handgun that is not a restricted

firearm.

(2) Regardless of whether the person has been issued a concealed handgun

license, subject to the limitations specified in divisions (B)(3) and (C)(2) of

this section, a person who is a qualifying adult may carry a concealed

handgun that is not a restricted firearm anywhere in this state in which a

person who has been issued a concealed handgun license may carry a

concealed handgun.

(3) The right of a person who is a qualifying adult to carry a concealed

handgun that is not a restricted firearm that is granted under divisions

(B)(1) and (2) of this section is the same right as is granted to a person who

has been issued a concealed handgun license, and a qualifying adult who is

granted the right is subject to the same restrictions as apply to a person who

has been issued a concealed handgun license.

{¶ 20} The foregoing language establishes that qualifying adults are now entitled

to the same rights and subject to same restrictions as those who have been issued a

concealed handgun license. R.C. 2923.111(B)(3). Considered in light of the concealed

handgun license exclusion in R.C. 2923.16(F)(5)(a), this language leads to the conclusion

10.

that a qualifying adult who is in possession of a loaded firearm in their vehicle without a

concealed handgun license is no longer subject to prosecution for improperly handling

firearms in a motor vehicle under R.C. 2923.16. This is the sequence of logical reasoning

embedded in the parties’ arguments at the trial court.

{¶ 21} The facts articulated by the state at the plea hearing clearly establish that

appellant possessed a loaded firearm in his motor vehicle at the time of the traffic stop.

Further, there is no dispute that appellant has not been issued a concealed handgun

license. Nonetheless, appellant insisted in the trial court that he was entitled to the

retroactive application of R.C. 2923.111, which became effective after appellant

committed the offense at issue in this case. Consequently, appellant initially argued in

the trial court that he could not be sentenced under R.C. 2923.16.

{¶ 22} Appellant initially argued that R.C. 2923.111, when applied retroactively,

protected him against any criminal punishment attributable to his undisputed possession

of a loaded firearm in his motor vehicle. In response, the state pointed out that appellant

was not a “qualifying adult” under R.C. 2923.111(B), and thus was not entitled to the

benefit of any protections thereunder.

{¶ 23} According to R.C. 2923.111(A)(2)(b), a “qualifying adult” is defined as a

person who, among other things, is “[n]ot legally prohibited from possessing or receiving

a firearm under 18 U.S.C. 922(g)(1) to (9) or under section 2923.13 of the Revised Code

or any other Revised Code provision.” At the time of the traffic stop, appellant was in

11.

possession of marijuana, a controlled substance under federal law. Thus, appellant was

prohibited from possessing or receiving a firearm pursuant to 18 U.S.C. 922(g)(3), under

which it is unlawful for any person “who is an unlawful user of * * * any controlled

substance (as defined in section 102 of the Controlled Substances Act (21 U.S.C. 802))”

to “possess in or affecting commerce, any firearm or ammunition.”

{¶ 24} Appellant did not disagree with the state’s argument that he was not a

qualifying adult. Rather, appellant eventually conceded that he was not a qualifying adult

and entered his no contest plea without further argument. Despite his concession at the

trial court, appellant now argues that the trial court erred in sentencing him under R.C.

2923.16(B) because that statute, as well as 18 U.S.C. 922(g), are unconstitutional.

{¶ 25} The constitutionality of a statute is a question of law that we consider de

novo. Cleveland v. State, 157 Ohio St.3d 330, 2019-Ohio-3820, 136 N.E.3d 466, ¶ 15;

David P. v. Kim D., 6th Dist. Lucas No. L-06-1164, 2007-Ohio-1865, ¶ 15, citing

Andreyko v. Cincinnati, 153 Ohio App.3d 108, 2003-Ohio-2759, 791 N.E.2d 1025, ¶ 11

(1st Dist.). Because statutes are presumed constitutional, any challenge must be proven

beyond a reasonable doubt. Beagle v. Walden, 78 Ohio St.3d 59, 61, 676 N.E.2d 506

(1997).

{¶ 26} “‘[T]he question of the constitutionality of a statute must generally be

raised at the first opportunity and, in a criminal prosecution, this means in the trial

court.’” State v. Buttery, 162 Ohio St.3d 10, 2020-Ohio-2998, 164 N.E.3d 294, ¶ 7,

12.

quoting State v. Awan, 22 Ohio St.3d 120, 122, 489 N.E.2d 277 (1986). “Failure to raise

at the trial court level the issue of the constitutionality of a statute or its application,

which issue is apparent at the time of trial, constitutes a waiver of such issue and a

deviation from this state’s orderly procedure, and therefore need not be heard for the first

time on appeal.” Awan at the syllabus.

{¶ 27} We note at the outset that appellant failed to challenge the constitutionality

of R.C. 2923.16(B) or 18 U.S.C. 922(g) in the trial court and instead conceded that he

was not a qualifying adult under R.C. 2923.111(B) because his marijuana possession was

unlawful under 18 U.S.C. 922(g)(3). Therefore, we find that appellant has forfeited any

review of those arguments on appeal.

{¶ 28} Appellant neither references his failure to assert his constitutional

arguments in the trial court nor argues that the trial court committed plain error below.

Nevertheless, “this court has discretion to consider a forfeited constitutional challenge to

a statute. We may review the trial court decision for plain error * * *.” State v.

Quarterman, 140 Ohio St.3d 464, 2014-Ohio-4034, 19 N.E.3d 900, ¶ 16. To establish

plain error, appellant must show that there was a plain or obvious error, that but for the

error the outcome of the proceeding would have been otherwise, and that reversal is

necessary to correct a manifest miscarriage of justice. Id.

{¶ 29} Our review of the relevant case law reveals that courts generally proceed to

conduct a plain error analysis as to forfeited constitutional arguments, and we will do so

13.

in this case. Upon review, we find that appellant cannot demonstrate plain error in the

proceedings below.

{¶ 30} The federal district court case appellant relies upon in making his

constitutionality argument concerning 18 U.S.C. 922(g)(3), United State v. Harrison, ---

F.Supp.3d ----, 2023 WL 1771138 (W.D. Okla. 2023), is not controlling authority and is

undercut by other decisions by different federal district courts. See United States v. Hart,

--- F.Supp.3d ----, 2023 WL 4144834, *1 (W.D. Mo. 2023) (declining to follow Harrison

and noting that challenges “for unlawful user of a controlled substance in possession of a

firearm have survived Second Amendment scrutiny after Bruen, both in this Court and in

other jurisdictions”); United States v. Lewis, --- F.Supp.3d ----, 2023 WL 4604563 (S.D.

Ala. 2023) (recognizing a split of authority as to the constitutionality of 18 U.S.C.

922(g)(3) but ultimately upholding the statute after rejecting the analysis contained in

Harrison). Additionally, appellant’s constitutionality argument concerning R.C.

2923.16(B) has already been examined and rejected by other Ohio courts. See State v.

Robinson, 2015-Ohio-4649, 48 N.E.3d 1030, ¶ 17-18 (12th Dist.) (finding that R.C.

2923.16 does not unconstitutionally infringe upon right to keep and bear arms; statute

does not operate as blanket prohibition on transporting firearms while traveling by

vehicle); State v. Shover, 2014-Ohio-373, 8 N.E.3d 358 (9th Dist.), appeal not allowed

139 Ohio St.3d 1406, 9 N.E.3d 1063, 2014-Ohio-2245 (concluding that R.C. 2923.16(B)

14.

is narrowly tailored to promote public safety, thereby finding that the statute does not

violate Second Amendment).

{¶ 31} In sum, we hold that appellant forfeited his constitutionality arguments by

failing to raise them for the first time in the trial court. Further, we conclude that

appellant has not established plain error. Accordingly, we find appellant’s assignments

of error not well-taken.

III. Conclusion

{¶ 32} In light of the foregoing, the judgment of the Lucas County Court of

Common Pleas is affirmed. Appellant is ordered to pay the costs of this appeal pursuant

to App.R. 24.

Judgment affirmed.

A certified copy of this entry shall constitute the mandate pursuant to App.R. 27.