Ohio Moms Demand Action, Everytown Applaud Introduction of Bipartisan Background Checks Legislation

COLUMBUS, Ohio – The Ohio chapter of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, part of Everytown for Gun Safety, today applauded the introduction of SB 183, bipartisan legislation that would require background checks on all gun sales, with reasonable exceptions. The bipartisan legislation was introduced by Senator Cecil Thomas and Senator Peggy Lehner.

“This is the kind of common-sense policy Ohioans want to see,” said Kristine Woodworth, volunteer chapter leader with the Ohio chapter of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America. “Across party lines, Ohioans want to see real solutions to keep our families safe from gun violence. This is what working together to make us safer looks like, and we applaud Senators Thomas and Lehner for their leadership.”

Yesterday’s bill introduction came after Gov. DeWine called last week for the legislature to require background checks on all gun sales.

A recent report showed that in 2018 alone, there were as many as 127,524 ads on Armslist.com offering guns for sale in Ohio with no background check required.

Under current federal law, background checks are required only for gun sales by licensed firearm dealers. No background check is required for sales by unlicensed individuals, who can sell guns to strangers they meet online or at gun shows – with no background check, no questions asked, and no way to know whether the buyer is a criminal or otherwise prohibited from having guns. Fifteen states and the District of Columbia have closed this loophole by enacting laws requiring background checks on all gun sales. Ohio has not.