Terra Goodnight · August 8, 2019

Here’s What Gun Safety Advocates In Ohio Are Up Against

Earlier this week, Mike DeWine announced a package of gun safety reforms he would like to see the Ohio General Assembly enact into law. If history is a guide, he’s running into some stiff headwinds. Just ask Dayton. In late 2018, Ohio lawmakers enacted a bill (House Bill 228), overriding a veto by Gov. John Kasich, that blocked Ohio cities from enacting local gun ordinances and subjected local communities to civil liability for passing gun laws stricter than the state’s. The bill states that “any local firearm regulation that interferes with an individual’s right to bear arms, inhibits individuals from protecting themselves, their families, or others from intruders and attackers, or otherwise inhibits the legitimate use of firearms is preempted by the state of Ohio.” Ohio cities and their leaders have their hands tied. Here’s what Dayton Mayor Nan Whaley had to say at the time: As DeWine, Whaley and gun safety advocates attempt to reform our gun laws, it’s worth revisiting the recent past to see what they are up against. HB228 was just one of several recent measures to expand the rights of gun owners in Ohio, demonstrating just how powerful the momentum is within the GOP-controlled General Assembly to move in the opposite direction. In recent years, Ohio lawmakers have passed bills to: Allow guns in bars and restaurants that serve alcohol (SB17 in 2011)

Sitting lawmakers who voted yes:

Representatives Butler, Jordan, G. Manning, Oelslager, Patton and Seitz.

Senators Brenner, Hottinger, M. Huffman, Lehner, O’Brien, Obhof, Peterson, Roegner, Schaffer and Uecker.

Eliminate requirement to store guns unloaded in motor vehicles and allow guns to be stored in the Statehouse parking garage (HB495 in 2012)

Sitting lawmakers who voted yes:

Representatives Butler, Cera, DeVitis, Jordan, G. Manning, Oelslager, Patton, Schaffer, Scherer, Seitz and R. Smith.

Senators Brenner, Burke, Coley, Eklund, Hackett, Hottinger, M. Huffman, Lehner, O’Brien, Obhof, Peterson, Roegner, Schuring, Terhar and Uecker

Allow concealed carry by residents of other states without licensing or training, and lifted the ban on high capacity magazines (HB234 in 2014) 

Sitting lawmakers who voted yes:

Representatives Becker, Blessing, Butler, Cera, DeVitis, Fedor, Hood, Jordan, Oelslager, Patterson, Perales, Rogers, Seitz, Sheehy, R. Smith and Strahorn.

Senators Brenner, Burke, Coley, Eklund, Hackett, Hottinger, M. Huffman, Kunze, Lehner, O’Brien, Obhof, Patton, Peterson, Roegner, Schaffer, Schuring, Terhar, Uecker and Williams

Allow guns in daycares and on college campuses and prohibit employers from banning firearms from employee vehicles parked on their property  (SB199 in 2016)

Sitting lawmakers who voted yes:

Representatives Becker, Blessing, Brinkman, Butler, Cera, Cupp, Dean, Fedor, Green, Hambley, Hood, Jordan, Keller, Koehler, G. Manning, Merrin, O’Brien, Oelslager, Patterson, Patton, Perales, Reineke, Rogers, Scherer, Seitz, R. Smith, Vitale and Zeltwanger.

Senators Brenner, Burke, Coley, Gavarone, Hackett, Hottinger, S. Huffman, Kunze, N. Manning, McColley, O’Brien, Peterson, Roegner, Schaffer, Schuring, Terhar and Uecker.

Prohibit cities from enacting local gun ordinances (HB228 in 2018)

Sitting lawmakers who voted yes:

Representatives Antani, Becker, Blessing, Brinkman, Butler, Carfagna, Cera, Cupp, DeVitis, Dean, Edwards, Ginter, Green, Greenspan, Hambley, Hood, Hoops, Householder, Jordan, Keller, Kick, Koehler, Lanese, Lang, Lipps, G. Manning, McClain, Merrin, Oelslager, Patterson, Patton, Perales, Reineke, Riedel, Rogers, Romanchuk, S. Ryan, Seitz, R. Smith, T. Smith, Stein, Vitale, Wiggam, WIlkin, Zeltwanger

Brenner, Burke, Coley, Dolan, Gavarone, Hackett, Hoagland, Hottinger, M. Huffman, S. Huffman, McColley, Obhof, Peterson, Roegner, Schaffer, Terhar, Uecker, Wilson.

With this crew still controlling the statehouse, it will take a lot of work and convincing for DeWine’s proposals to get passed.