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

Urges action on commonsense gun safety legislation
August 5, 2019
Richard D. Brown News

State Rep. Richard D. Brown (D-Canal Winchester) 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:

“I want to first and foremost express my condolences to the victims’ friends and family members and to the Dayton community. Shootings of this nature are an epidemic in this country. It is beyond time to enact commonsense gun safety measures in Ohio,” said Rep. Brown. “As elected leaders in this state, my colleagues and I have an obligation to work to ensure that fewer of these tragedies happen in our communities. The legislature’s unwillingness to address gun violence after this tragedy would amount to a dereliction of duty. The time for action is now, and I urge the Majority Leadership to bring forward commonsense gun safety legislation.”

Rep. Brown 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. Brown 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 lawmakers have introduced several bills to address gun safety, including:

  • 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 bill to keep firearms out of the hands of minors.
  • Ban on high-capacity magazines, proposedby Rep. Casey Weinstein (D-Hudson).
  • Address resources for school safety, including security doors and restricted access, sponsored 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.