COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — The Ohio Senate has passed changes to the state's weapons laws that include relaxing some requirements for concealed carry permits and letting hunters use noise suppressors on their guns under certain conditions.

The hunting proposal, which passed the House earlier this year, would let licensed hunters use the noise suppressors while hunting certain birds and other wild game, including squirrels, rabbits and white-tailed deer. Supporters say the suppressors would help protect hunters' hearing.

The Senate Civil Justice Committee amended the hunting bill to also reduce the training time to get a concealed weapons permit from a minimum of 12 hours to eight. Such training must include two hours devoted to range time and live-fire training.

The House must agree to the changes before the governor could sign the bill.