The Ohio chapters of Moms Demand Action and Students Demand Action, both part of Everytown for Gun Safety’s grassroots network, released the following statement after the Ohio House of Representatives passed and the Senate concurred OH SB 215, dangerous permitless carry legislation that would eliminate Ohio’s permit requirement for carrying a handgun in public. Moms Demand Action, Students Demand Action volunteers and law enforcement officers from across the state all spoke out in opposition of permitless carry throughout the legislative process. The bill now goes to Governor Mike DeWine’s desk.
“It is shameful that our lawmakers chose to repeatedly ignore the concerns of law enforcement, and passed a bill that would place our communities, and the people whose job it is to protect us, in danger,” said Doug Rogers, a volunteer with the Ohio chapter of Moms Demand Action. “This bill should not have gone this far. Law enforcement officers agree – getting rid of our permitting system will put our communities at risk. Governor DeWine should stand with law enforcement and public safety advocates and veto SB 215.”
Ohio Moms Demand Action and Students Demand Action volunteers joined law enforcement, local officials, public safety advocates, and faith leaders in providing testimony in opposition of permitless carry during past hearings of the bill. The Fraternal Order of Police, Catholic Conference of Ohio, Ohio Mayors Alliance, Ohio Association of Chiefs of Polices, and the Ohio Patrolmen’s Benevolent Association all testified against SB 215.
More information about permitless carry is available here. Learn more about gun violence in Ohio here.