Ohio House Democrats, Gun Violence Prevention Caucus Host Gun Violence Prevention Press Conference

COLUMBUS – The Gun Violence Prevention Caucus and members of the House Democratic Caucus on Tuesday hosted a press conference to discuss crucial commonsense policies supported by a bipartisan majority of Ohioans.

“Instead of focusing on real solutions to keep our communities and our children safe or pass a state operating budget that improves the wellbeing of Ohioans, Republicans are focused on passing laws they hope will distract you from their failures while at the same time trying to divide us on commonsense issues like gun reform,” said House Minority Leader C. Allison Russo (D-Upper Arlington). “House Democrats will not stand idly by while Republicans in power refuse to do something about gun violence, and we are here today and everyday to fight for them. Gun violence has no place in Ohio. People deserve better.”

Co-chairs of the Gun Violence Prevention Caucus highlighted House Bill (HB) 45 (establish Extreme Risk Protection Orders) and HB 46 (10-day waiting period for firearm purchases):

“The lawmakers standing with me today—and those who couldn’t be here—are united in a simple, urgent mission: to save lives. And we will keep fighting. We will keep introducing legislation. That’s why we are introducing bills like House Bill 45, which I’ve championed alongside Rep. Baker in both this General Assembly and the last. It would establish a 10-day waiting period for firearm purchases. This is not a radical idea. It’s common sense,” said Rep. Cecil Thomas (D-Cincinnati). “To the people of Ohio: you deserve better. I urge you—call your Republican representatives. Demand they stop valuing the gun lobby over your life. Demand they do something. We are not powerless. We are not voiceless. And we will not stop.”

“Gun violence is claiming lives in every corner of our state, and we cannot accept the status quo. People deserve better. We have a responsibility to act—and we are,” said Rep. Grim (D-Toledo). “That’s why earlier this year, Rep. Thomas and I introduced House Bill 46 to establish Extreme Risk Protection Orders. This legislation creates a clear legal process for family members or law enforcement to petition the court when someone poses a significant risk of harming themselves or others. While the majority continues to ignore the growing crisis of gun violence, our caucus is committed to advancing real, evidence-based policy solutions that protect Ohioans.”

Rep. Karen Brownlee (D-Symmes Twp) spoke about a bill that would create a gun violence task force:

“We know that gun safety and Second Amendment rights can coexist — because responsible gun ownership should start with responsibility. That’s what we’re fighting for: responsibility, accountability, and safety for all,” said Rep. Brownlee. “Yet we are fighting against a powerful gun lobby which is more interested in sales than citizens. They even block attempts to understand the public health impact of gun violence on Ohioans, which is why I am compelled to re-introduce a bill with Rep. Brewer to establish a Gun Violence Task Force that simply calls to understand the problems so we can fix them.” 

Rep. Brewer (D-Cleveland) spoke about his Community Safety and Solutions Agenda, a ten bill package which includes bipartisan HB 120 (Firearm Safety Device Sales Tax Exemption):

“In the district I represent, we have consistently ranked among the top three districts for gun violence in the state. But let me be clear: 20 of the districts most affected by gun violence are represented by both Republicans and Democrats. This is not a red or blue issue. This is an Ohio issue,” said Rep. Brewer. “And yet, despite the data, the grief, and the urgency, the Ohio General Assembly continues to fail to take action. I am calling on my colleagues, on both sides of the aisle, to join me in advancing sensible, community-focused solutions, like HB 120.Let’s build safer communities together, with common sense and compassion.”

Rep. Meredith R. Lawson-Rowe (D-Reynoldsburg) spoke about HB 235, which would authorize tax credit for handgun training and firearm storage: 

“Over 90% of guns used in the accidental shooting deaths of children nationwide in the last decade were left unlocked and loaded. This suggests that if safe storage of these guns had been incentivized and employed on a larger scale, many children throughout our nation, and within our state, might still be alive today,” said Rep. Lawson-Rowe. “It is with this in mind that Rep. Brewer and I have introduced House Bill 235, which would create two nonrefundable income tax credits. We want to offer commonsense regulations and publicize safe, responsible ownership of guns, which most Ohioans, and Americans, agree with and support.”

House Democrats remain committed to ensuring that all Ohioans, no matter who they are or where they live, can live without fear of gun violence in their communities. 

EDITOR’S NOTE: A picture from Tuesday’s press conference is attached to this press release. Courtesy: Ohio House Democrats. You can watch the press conference here.