COLUMBUS, Ohio — The Ohio chapter of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America joined with Shaker Heights Mayor Earl Leiken, a member of the Ohio coalition of Mayors Against Illegal Guns, both a part of Everytown for Gun Safety, to release the statement below condemning today’s house floor vote on House Bill 48, a “guns everywhere” bill that would allow people to carry hidden, loaded handguns in day-care centers, police stations and airports. The bill heads next to the Senate.
STATEMENT FROM SHAKER HEIGHTS MAYOR EARL LEIKEN, MEMBER OF THE OHIO COALITION OF MAYORS AGAINST ILLEGAL GUNS:
“Instead of allowing guns in day-care centers and airports, our Ohio legislators should take a look at how guns get into dangerous hands and what policies actually work to keep our communities safe. Mayors see the daily toll that gun violence takes on our neighborhoods, and if this misguided legislation continues to move through Columbus, mayors, childcare providers, tourists and children alike will have to deal with the consequences. I strongly urge our senators to oppose this ‘guns everywhere’ legislation.”
STATEMENT FROM MICHELE MUELLER, VOLUNTEER LEADER FOR THE OHIO CHAPTER OF MOMS DEMAND ACTION FOR GUN SENSE IN AMERICA:
“As a parent, grandparent and frequent flier, I stand on the side of public safety and oppose this illogical proposal to allow hidden, loaded firearms in our day-care centers and in our airports. The gun lobby’s fear-mongering rhetoric falsely claims that shooters target places without guns – but the research shows that’s simply not true. Pushing this myth is a twisted form of victim-blaming and we urge our Senators to oppose this dangerous bill. The solution to preventing gun violence is not putting more guns into more places – it’s keeping guns away from dangerous people in the first place.”