With just weeks left in the 2018 legislative session, the gun lobby is pressuring the Ohio legislature to consider a bill that would systematically weaken our state's gun safety laws and put communities at risk. HB 228 would make Ohio a Stand Your Ground state and effectively allow people to carry hidden, loaded guns in public without a permit or safety training, among other sweeping rollbacks of our gun safety laws
HB 228 is dangerous for Ohio. Send your lawmaker a message TODAY — before this legislation moves any further.
As an Ohio resident, I'm calling on you to reject HB 228, a reckless gun bill that could be considered during lame-duck session. This bill contains dangerous, sweeping rollbacks of Ohio gun safety laws that warrant further public conversation, something that cannot happen in the few short session days left this year. Among other extensive changes, this bill would:
* Make Ohio a Stand Your Ground state. Ohio law already allows people to protect themselves in dangerous situations, but HB 228 would allow the use of deadly force in public even when there is a clear and safe alternative to de-escalate the situation.
* Effectively allow people to carry hidden, loaded handguns in public without a permit or safety training. The current concealed carry permit system is supported by 90 percent of Ohio voters.
* Allow out-of-state special interest groups to sue Ohio cities and towns for attempting to enact or enforce local solutions to gun violence. Existing law already prevents local government from adoptings regulations or laws related to firearms. HB 228 would just allow powerful special interests to enrich themselves further at the expense of Ohio taxpayers.
HB 228 is opposed by police chiefs and prosecutors and takes our public safety laws in the wrong direction. Please stand with law enforcement and reject proposals which would weaken our state's gun laws, like HB 228.