Rep. Robinson urges governor to veto dangerous permitless carry legislation
COLUMBUS— Today, State Rep. Phil Robinson (D-Solon) sent a letter to Gov. Mike DeWine urging him to veto Senate Bill (SB) 215, legislation that undermines public safety laws that currently require permits for people who carry hidden, loaded handguns in public. SB 215 would eliminate the requirement for concealed weapon training and reduce penalties if a gun owner fails to notify law enforcement they are carrying.
“SB 215 is the opposite of common sense, it is dangerous nonsense. Permitless carry will allow guns in the hands of people without proper training, increasing the risk of everyday conflicts escalating into a deadly altercation. Communities and our children will be less safe as this will increase the chances that dangerous weapons will be used by dangerous individuals.
“The reality is 90% of Ohioans want to see more, not less, gun safety measures as gun violence and mass shootings increase in Ohio. Eliminating permits, training, and weakening duty to notify makes us all less safe,” said Rep. Robinson.
Gun violence rates in Ohio surged in 2020, with 25 mass shootings recorded, up from 14 the year before. Emerging data shows states that have weakened their firearm permitting system have experienced a 13 to 15% increase in violent crime rates.
“Every year my Republican colleagues keep getting more extreme on their dangerous views on guns in order to appease the weapons industry and the fringes of society. I call upon Gov. DeWine to renew his promise from the Dayton Mass Shooting to veto all gun bills until the legislature passes commonsense gun safety reforms. This is the time to show strength to rise above the gun lobbyists, and keep Ohio families and communities safe and secure,” added Rep. Robinson.