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Rep. Sweeney's statement on anniversary of Dayton shooting

Calls Republican inaction on commonsense gun safety unconscionable
August 4, 2020
Bride Rose Sweeney News

COLUMBUS –State Rep. Bride Rose Sweeney (D-Cleveland) today issued a statement on the one-year anniversary of a mass shooting in Dayton, Ohio, which left nine dead and 17 wounded.

“My heart still aches for the souls we lost in Dayton last year from senseless gun violence. When the victims’ families and countless others demanded that we do something, they didn’t mean just anything: they meant real, commonsense gun safety reforms,” said Rep. Sweeney. “I heard those calls for change and introduced HB 316 to create an Extreme Risk Protection Order that respects due process while stopping preventable gun violence. While other states have shown that this measure saves lives and the majority of Ohioans support it, it’s deeply unfortunate that the Ohio Legislature is so insulated from public opinion that the GOP Majority has refused this legislation a single hearing in the 363 days since I introduced it.”

Democrats have continually pushed for commonsense gun reforms, including:

  • House Bill (HB) 316 (Russo/Sweeney): Extreme Risk Protection Orders;
  • HB 240 (Miranda/Kelly): The Child Access Prevention Act, which would ensure firearms are stored safely and securely out of the reach of minors;
  • HB 317 (Robinson/Miller): universal background checks;
  • HB 315 (Liston): Provide mental health and suicide prevention information at the purchase site;
  • HB 319 (West/Miller): Restore local control so that everyday Ohioans can decide what commonsense safety solutions work for their community;
  • HB 320 (West): Prohibit the sale of a gun if the background check is pending;
  • HB 335 (Lepore-Hagan/Boyd): Require subject of certain protection orders to surrender firearms;
  • HB 348 (Miller): Prohibit a person subject to a protection order from purchasing or receiving a firearm for the duration of the order;
  • HB 349 (Weinstein): Ban possession of high-capacity magazines;
  • HB 647 (Strahorn): Prohibits manufacture/sales of high capacity magazines;
  • HB 658 (Galonski): Train school employees if authorized to carry firearms in schools.

None of the Democratic gun safety bills have been called for a committee vote.

Meanwhile, House Republicans have prioritized legislation opponents say will make Ohioans less safe, including the kill at will bill and legislation to eliminate the duty to notify law enforcement of a concealed weapon, which passed the House in June.

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