Leader Russo: Permitless carry legislation puts Ohioans, law enforcement in danger

COLUMBUS —Ohio House Minority Leader Allison Russo (D-Upper Arlington) issued a statement following the Ohio House passage of Senate Bill (SB) 215, Republican-backed 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. 

“Once again, the Republican supermajority has passed dangerous permitless carry legislation that puts our communities at an even greater risk of gun violence than before,” said Rep. Russo.  “This completely flies in the face of Ohioans who have called time after time for commonsense gun safety legislation, not extreme bills that endanger the lives of our children and families. In particular, softening the penalties for duty to notify will put our law enforcement in harm’s way. With SB 215, Republicans are making it clear that they value the approval of the gun lobby more than the lives of Ohioans and the police officers who protect our communities every day.” 

Democrats introduced several commonsense gun safety amendments during session, including to: 

Enact the Extreme Risk Protection Order Act;

Require universal background checks for all firearms purchases;

Require that licensed firearms dealers provide information about Ohio’s gun laws with every firearms purchase.

Republicans rejected these amendments, and cut off debate on SB 215 before all Democrats were able to speak on the legislation.