Lawmakers, Columbus mayor call for state leaders to act on gun reforms
Citing new polling that shows most Ohioans support gun control laws like universal background checks and mandatory training to carry concealed weapons, Democratic leaders from Columbus demanded action from state lawmakers Thursday.
"The numbers don't lie when it comes to what Ohioans, both Republican and Democrat, want us to do about it," House Minority Leader Allison Russo, D-Upper Arlington, said.
More: Ohioans overwhelmingly support gun safety measures, but lawmakers not likely to act
A Suffolk University/USA TODAY Network Ohio Bureau poll released Thursday found 92% of Ohioans support mandatory background checks for firearm purchases, 88% want mandated training for those who carry concealed weapons, and 75% support safe storage laws.
Democrats have introduced several bills in the current legislative session, but none have been voted on including:
House Bill 170, a red-flag law that would allow for temporarily removing firearms from people who are a danger to themselves or others. So far the bill has had one hearing.
House Bill 175, which would require safe storage of firearms. The bill authorizes a tax credit for the purchase of safety storage equipment. So far the bill has had one hearing.
House Bill 217, which would require that gun trigger locks be attached and provided with firearms sales by federally licensed firearms dealers. The bill has not had a hearing yet.
House Bill 218 and Senate Bill 78, which would restore to local governments authority to regulate firearms. The House bill has not had a hearing yet. The Senate bill had one hearing in May.
In recent years, Ohio lawmakers have moved in the opposite direction, choosing to remove restrictions on gun ownership and use.
The GOP-controlled legislature lowered requirements for teachers who want to keep guns in their classrooms, eliminated the legal duty to retreat during an altercation before firing a gun and removed state mandated training requirements for carrying concealed weapons.
Republicans say these changes better protect the Second Amendment and that most gun violence originates from people who aren't legal gun owners.
“Failed liberal mayors like Ginther, Bibb and Lightfoot in Chicago are solely responsible for embracing the immediate release of violent felons, undermining their police force,” Republican Senate spokesman John Fortney said in a statement. They ”would rather punish law-abiding citizens who simply want to protect themselves and their families under the Second Amendment. Vote yes on Issue 1 or these liberals will demand you hand over your firearm.”
Democrats, including those who lead Columbus, say Ohio has become less safe, and new state laws restricting how cities regulate firearms potentially violate Ohio's right to home rule.
"We need the state and federal governments to step up," Columbus Mayor Andrew Ginther said. "And if they don't have the political courage to act, they need to get out of our way."
More: Columbus council approves new gun-control law amid questions over its legality
In December, Columbus City Council unanimously passed a series of gun control ordinances that included banning magazines that hold 30 bullets or more and penalties for people who "negligently" store their firearms.
But the proposed changes are on hold because of a legal challenge by Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost.
Anna Staver is a reporter for the USA TODAY Network Ohio Bureau, which serves the Columbus Dispatch, Cincinnati Enquirer, Akron Beacon Journal and 18 other affiliated news organizations across Ohio.
Get more political analysis by listening to the Ohio Politics Explained podcast
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Ohio Democrats call on GOP to enact 'common sense' gun reforms
