Rep. Bride Rose Sweeney issues statement on Dayton shooting, says more needs to be done to keep children and families safe

State Rep. Bride Rose Sweeney (D-Cleveland) today issued a statement on the state legislature’s duty to work together to address senseless gun violence and keep all Ohioans safe and secure in the wake of a mass shooting in Dayton, Ohio this past weekend:

“My heart goes out to the families and friends of the victims in Dayton that were affected by this senseless act of violence,” said Rep. Sweeney. “As elected members of this legislature, we have a duty to our constituents to see that we are working toward a solution to gun violence. We must come together to support and pass commonsense legislation that is overwhelmingly supported by citizens of our state. Keeping dangerous weapons out of the hands of the wrong people is a top priority of mine and of my colleagues. We will do everything we can to see that this does not become normal and Ohioans can feel safe.”

Rep. Sweeney noted the importance of passing two widely supported gun safety measures, universal background checks and a “red flag” law. More than 90 percent of Ohioans support universal background checks for gun purchases and Governor DeWine has expressed his support for implementing a red flag law. Sweeney is also calling for immediate hearings on other commonsense gun safety proposals laid out by Democrats in recent months, as the vast majority of Ohioans support commonsense solutions to keep kids and communities safe.

Democratic commonsense gun safety proposals include:

• Senate Bill (SB) 19, sponsored by Sen. Sandra Williams (D-Cleveland), to enact red flag protections. Reps. Bride Rose Sweeney (D-Cleveland) and Allison Russo (D-Upper Arlington) proposed companion legislation in the House.
• SB 63, sponsored by Sen. Cecil Thomas (D-Cincinnati), to require universal background checks on gun purchases. Rep. Phil Robinson (D-Solon) is proposing companion legislation in the House.
• SB 62, sponsored by Sen. Thomas, would ban bump stocks.
• SB 64, Sen. Thomas, to increase the minimum purchasing age of firearms to 21.
• SB 65, Sen. Thomas, to close the gun show loophole.
• SB 43, Sens. Nickie Antonio (D-Lakewood) and Stephanie Kunze (R-Hilliard), bipartisan legislation to prohibit individuals convicted of domestic violence from purchasing a firearm.
• Reps. Jessica Miranda (D-Forest Park) and Brigid Kelly’s (D-Cincinnati) proposed safe storage legislation to keep firearms out of the hands of minors.
• Ban on high-capacity magazines, proposed by Rep. Casey Weinstein (D-Hudson).
• Address resources for school safety, including security doors and restricted access, proposed by Rep. Mary Lightbody (D-Westerville).  
• Mental health information provided at purchase site, proposed by Rep. Beth Liston (D-Dublin).
• Restrictions on purchase of body armor and high-capacity magazines, proposed by Rep. Adam Miller (D-Columbus).
• Increase gun safety training hours, proposed by Rep. Miller.

Of all the gun safety legislation introduced, there has only been a single hearing on SB 43.