Posted on 08/05/2013 1:18:18 AM PDT by RC one
In the seven months since the mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School, Ohio legislators have introduced more gun-related bills than they did in the previous two years combined – most of them to expand gun rights.
A Cincinnati Enquirer analysis shows members of the General Assembly have introduced 19 firearm-related bills since taking office in January; five more than the 14 firearm-related bills introduced in 2011 and 2012.
Of the 19 bills, 11 would expand the rights of gun owners – increasing the locations where “stand your ground’ law is applicable, adding places where a person can legally carry a concealed gun and easing the requirements, in some instances, for a concealed carry permit, for example
Of the 19 bills, 11 would expand the rights of gun owners – increasing the locations where “stand your ground’ law is applicable, adding places where a person can legally carry a concealed gun and easing the requirements, in some instances, for a concealed carry permit, for example.
So far no member of the General Assembly has sponsored more pro-firearm legislation than Rep. John Becker, R-Union Twp. The freshman lawmaker from Clermont County has sponsored four bills in 2013.
One bill would remove from the state’s definition of an automatic weapon a clause that classifies semi-automatics that can fire more than 31 rounds without reloading as automatics. Becker introduced the bill after a constituent brought the issue to his attention at a pro-gun rally in Clermont County. Becker says the gun issue is a big one for residents in his district.
“Being pro-gun was part of my platform and it’s something that’s important to the people of Clermont County,” Becker said.
Becker and two other Republicans from Southwest Ohio have sponsored a total of six bills, all them pro-gun.
Rep. Ron Maag, R-Lebanon, sponsored a bill allowing concealed carry on college campuses, in day-care facilities, aircraft, certain government facilities, police stations, airport terminals and school safety zones. Maag has said his bill is intended to help law-abiding gun owners protect themselves in “unarmed victim zones.”
Other pro-gun bills would:
• Expand the locations where a person can use force as self defense – the “stand your ground law” that gained national attention in the George Zimmerman case.
• Allow a school employee who has completed the necessary training to carry a concealed weapon.
• Prohibit law enforcement agencies from destroying unclaimed or forfeited firearms if the gun can legally be owned by a citizen or used by law enforcement.
Becker said he and his fellow Republican representatives from Southwest Ohio have worked independently on the bills they have sponsored. He said he wasn’t even aware of some of the other bills.
“There’s a lot of work that needs to be done in this area to restore the rights of gun owners,” Becker said.
Rep. Bill Patmon, D-Cleveland, agrees that Ohio needs to change its gun law, but he says that should include adding some restrictions. Patmon has sponsored three bills restricting firearms, including a bill prohibiting the transfer of a weapon when neither party is a federally licensed firearm dealer.
Patmon says he is answering the demands of his constituents in a primarily urban district, while preserving their Second Amendment rights.
Eight of the 19 bills would tighten gun restrictions by, for example, having the state keep records from background checks and adding gun restrictions for convicted felons
The Democratic bills also would:
• Prohibit the use or sale of “assault weapons” in Ohio while establishing an ammunition transaction database.
• Require a federal firearms dealer to obtain criminal records of a potential buyer and report to law enforcement when the buyer cannot legally purchase a gun.
As of now, none of the bills have been passed by committee and it’s uncertain which bills, if any, will be enacted. Of the 14 bills introduced in 2011-12, three – all expanding gun rights – were signed into law by Gov. John Kasich.
B.) The Ohio democrats are trying to establish a database of Ohio gunowners
C.) the Ohio democrats are trying to establish a database of ammunition purchasers
Game on.
Perhaps Trayvon has served to remind them of the Cincinnati race riots of April 2001, and they are taking rational steps.
Please keep up the good work, Ohioans!
Too much to hope for, but...will the state of my birth be more free than the state I currently live in?
If the dem bills get defeated that is.
We all need Crazy Joe Biden to keep talking.
Joe?
Joe?
Where has Crazy Joe been lately?
Now I am worried.
Ohio Ping
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