Columbus City Council last night unanimously approved a trio of what they call "common sense gun regulations" - but the future of the regulations is unclear.
The new rules would ban anyone other than military personnel or law enforcement officers from owning an ammunition magazine with more than 30 rounds. They require firearms be stored safely, with gun locks or a gun locker, especially in a place where a minor may be able to access them. And they ban so-called straw sales, where a person purchases or furnishes a weapon to someone who is not legally able to own one.
The regulations were introduced immediately after Franklin County Judge Stephen McIntosh - under pressure from the city to resolve a longstanding suit against the state - issued a preliminary injunction on a portion of a state law that bans cities from writing their own gun regulations.
But the judge quickly backtracked, at the request of Ohio's Attorney General, and stayed his own ruling. AG Dave Yost, and gun rights organizations have interpreted that move to mean Columbus cannot take any action on municipal regulations. But Columbus City Attorney Zach Klein says that's not the case, and "does not affect the city's ability to move forward."
The regulations are awaiting a signature from Mayor Ginther, who has enthusiastically supported them.
