Ohio Moms Demand Action, Everytown Raise Concern That Gov. DeWine Will Abandon Efforts to Require Background Checks on All Ohio Gun Sales

COLUMBUS, Ohio – The Ohio chapter of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, part of Everytown for Gun Safety, today released the following statement:

“We’re concerned that Gov. DeWine may be planning to walk away from central parts of the proposals he announced after the Dayton tragedy, including his call for background checks on all gun sales, with reasonable exceptions,” said Kristine Woodworth, volunteer chapter leader for the Ohio chapter of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America. “The gaps in our gun laws are just as deadly today as they were in August. With or without the governor, we’ll keep fighting to close them, and the overwhelming majority of Ohioans are with us.”

BACKGROUND CHECKS

On Aug. 6, Gov. DeWine announced he was “calling on the Ohio General Assembly to pass a law requiring background checks for all firearms sales in the state of Ohio with certain limited, reasonable exceptions, including gifts between family members.” 

Ohio lawmakers have since introduced SB 183, bipartisan legislation that would require background checks on all gun sales, with reasonable exceptions. But the governor has not backed the bill.

RED FLAG OR EXTREME RISK LAWS

Also on Aug. 6, the governor asked the legislature to pass a law creating what he referred to as Safety Protection orders, “which would remove firearms from potentially dangerous individuals and get them the mental health treatment they need all while maintaining an individual’s right to due process.” 

Lawmakers subsequently introduced SB 184, bipartisan Red Flag legislation that would permit immediate family members and law enforcement officers to petition a court for an order temporarily removing guns from people who are at risk of harming themselves or others. The governor has not backed the bill.