Willis, Williams Legislation to Curb Violent Crime Passes House
COLUMBUS – State Representatives Bernie Willis (R-Springfield) and Josh Williams (R-Sylvania Twp.) legislation to increase the penalty for the use of a firearm in the commission of a violent crime has passed the Ohio House Wednesday. This legislation increases penalties for the most dangerous offenders in Ohio’s communities without changing any gun laws that would affect law-abiding gun owners.
The Repeat Offender Act will generally increase penalties for violent offenders in possession of a firearm while they are under disability for previous felony convictions. The legislation will also create a weapons-specific criminal enhancement for repeat offenders who continue to violate their weapon restriction.
“This legislation equips Ohio with essential tools to enhance community safety and address the epidemic of violent crime in our state,” said Willis. “We can enhance public safety by removing repeat offenders from our streets all while not altering any existing gun laws that affect law-abiding gun owners.”
“The majority of gun crime is committed by a handful of repeat offenders who are not allowed to possess a firearm,” said Williams. “With support from Governor Mike DeWine, Attorney General Dave Yost, and the Ohio Mayors Alliance, we will continue to fight for the Second Amendment right of citizens to keep and bear arms, while simultaneously removing guns from the hands of violent felons.”
Currently in Ohio, the penalty for possessing a weapon under disability is a felony violation of the third degree. This legislation will raise repeated offenses by violent felons to a second-degree felony. Additionally, those offenders who have been previously convicted of a weapons under disability violation and have a violent criminal history will be eligible for the newly created five-year weapons enhancement penalty. This enhancement can be added to a potential eight-year sentence for a second-degree felony.
The legislation will now head to the Ohio Senate for their review.