Statehouse Republicans ignore Ohioans' calls for commonsense gun safety as permitless concealed carry takes effect

COLUMBUS- Today, State Rep. Willis Blackshear Jr. (D-Dayton) issued a statement as Senate Bill (SB) 215, Republican legislation that allows Ohioans to carry hidden, loaded handguns in public without a permit, takes effect. Additionally, SB 215 eliminates the requirement for concealed weapon training and reduces penalties if a gun owner fails to notify law enforcement they are carrying.

This morning, Gov. DeWine also signed House Bill (HB) 99, legislation to allow teachers and staff to be armed in schools. Police, teachers’ unions, civil rights groups and students all strongly oppose this legislation and the effects it would have on our children and schools.

“HB 99 is the opposite of what the people of Ohio want. This bill makes our classrooms less safe and it puts an extra burden on teachers and staff. Instead of trying to pass commonsense gun legislation, the Republican supermajority is advocating for more guns.

“School districts around the state are already coping with a number of issues such as funding, resources, and staff shortages which have yet to be addressed. This is not a bill that will make our classrooms safer, and this is not the legislation that Ohioans expected when we said ‘Do Something’,” said Rep. Blackshear.