Rep. Brewer Introduces "Community Safety and Solutions Agenda" at Ohio House Democrat's Gun Violence Prevention Press Conference
COLUMBUS — State Rep. Darnell T. Brewer (D-Cleveland) today presented the Community Safety and Solutions Agenda in honor of National Gun Violence Awareness Month. This bold, multi-bill legislative package aims to address community violence and the causes of gun violence in District 22 and all throughout Ohio.
“Gun violence is not a partisan issue, it’s an Ohio issue,” said Rep. Brewer. “From Cleveland to Cincinnati, from urban centers to rural towns, communities are calling for action. The Community Safety and Solutions Agenda provides tangible, common-sense policies to protect our youth, strengthen neighborhoods, and restore hope.”
The Community Safety and Solutions Agenda includes:
- Safe Firearm Storage Resolution (Bipartisan)
- Promotes responsible gun ownership and safe storage to prevent unauthorized access.
- Promotes responsible gun ownership and safe storage to prevent unauthorized access.
- Safe Firearm Storage Education Act (Bipartisan)
- Directs state agencies to distribute multilingual firearm safety materials through schools and public spaces.
- SAFE PLAY Act (Bipartisan)
- Establishes a state grant program to renovate and build safe, ADA-accessible playgrounds using unclaimed funds.
- Closing the “Boyfriend Loophole” Act
- Expands protections for victims of dating violence by aligning Ohio law with federal firearm restrictions.
- Building Healthier Communities Act
- Creates grants for localities that declare gun violence a public health crisis and wish to establish Offices of Youth Prevention, Intervention & Opportunity.
- HB 235: Handgun Safety Tax Credit
- Offers tax credits to Ohioans who complete firearm safety training and purchase secure storage devices.
- HB 120: Firearm Safety Device Tax Exemption (Bipartisan)
- Removes sales tax on gun safes, locks, and other firearm security tools.
- HB 97: Access to School Meals
- Ensures no child is denied a meal due to poverty, recognizing the link between hunger and youth violence.
- Resolution to Recognize Victims of Police-Involved Deaths in Ohio
- Acknowledges over 1.5K lives lost since 2000 and calls for reforms in training, transparency, and de-escalation.
- Establishment of a Gun Violence Task Force
- Brings together state leaders, public health experts, and community voices to develop long-term solutions.
- Support for “Stop the Bleed” Emergency Response Training
- Equips Ohioans with life-saving trauma intervention skills for use in emergencies.
Along with Rep. Brewer’s legislative package, he also announced the launch of a statewide town hall tour titled P.L.A.N. Ohio: Prevent. Learn. Act. Navigate., featuring a series of town halls and community resource fairs in the districts most affected by gun violence.
The P.L.A.N. Ohio initiative aims to:
- Prevent gun violence through education and firearm safety;
- Learn life-saving trauma response techniques like Stop the Bleed;
- Act through advocacy and civic engagement; and
- Navigate resources for mental health, youth programming, and victim support.
Each event will include safe storage demonstrations (in partnership with community organizations such as Be SMART and Moms Demand Action), trauma response training, survivor testimonies, and access to local services and youth programming.
“These town halls aren’t just about listening, they’re about doing,” said Rep. Brewer. “We’re giving Ohioans real tools to stay safe, protect their families, and demand change from their government.”
Rep. Brewer and Ohio House Democrats are fighting for the safety and wellbeing all Ohioans deserve.
EDITOR’S NOTE: A picture of Rep. Brewer dropping off legislation is attached to this press release. Courtesy: Ohio House Democrats.