Numbers from the Centers for Disease Control and the Ohio Highway Patrol show 430 more people died from gun related deaths in 2017 than in car accidents. Many majority Republicans in the state legislature back a bill that would allow people to carry concealed weapons without license. But Minority Democrats want what they call “common sense gun legislation” instead. Ohio Public Radio's Jo Ingles reports.
House Democrats are proposing requiring safe storage of guns, allowing seizure of guns from people who could be dangerous and expand background checks. And Democrat Representative Adam Miller says they oppose a Republican backed bill that allow people to carry concealed weapons without a license.
“The uncertainty that this bill creates by defining weapons in the broadest, most irresponsible manner is terrible.”
That bill also faces opposition from prosecutors and police. Republican House Speaker Larry Householder also has legal questions.
“I’ve asked that the bill, probably as it leaves one committee, it goes to another, probably criminal justice, to have some additional hearings.”
While more gun restrictions would be a heavy lift, Governor Mike DeWine has signaled that he’d support some sort of a so-called red flag law.