Gun safety advocates are one step closer to expanding background checks for gun sales, closing the so-called “Gun Show Loophole.” Their petition gained approval from a state panel, opening the door to collect signatures. But the issue is still a long way from reaching the ballot. Ohio Public Radio's Andy Chow reports.
Secretary of State Frank LaRose leads the Ohio Ballot Board which approved the issue as following the single-subject rule. Because this is an initiated statute, once the signatures are collected, the language will be sent to Ohio lawmakers first.
“The Legislature can then take that opportunity if they wish to otherwise then the petitioners can continue gathering signatures to put it on the ballot for Ohioans to decide,” says LaRose.
Ohioans for Gun Safety say they’ll take the issue to the ballot as early as 2020 if lawmakers don’t pass strong gun safety measures.
The petition language does include exemptions for gun transfers such as when a firearm is passed down from one family member to another.
