It’s impossible to keep up with all that’s going on in our federal government. But Congressional leaders are relying on our collective apathy to advance dangerous policies that put our lives at risk.
Last week Gov. Mike DeWine signed a measure into law prohibiting Ohio financial institutions from using a separate merchant code for gun shops or requiring gun owners to purchase liability insurance. The measure also prohibits governments or agencies from maintaining a list of gun owners.
Similar merchant code prohibitions have passed in more than 15 other states. But notably, the bill’s sponsors did not identify a single Ohio entity considering an insurance requirement or ownership list. As such, the proposal’s purpose appears geared toward burnishing lawmakers’ pro-gun bona fides.
And it offers a potential answer for where messaging legislation goes when state leaders have already embraced almost every policy firearm enthusiasts could ask for. With state law already endorsing stand your ground, arming teachers, and permitless carry, lawmakers are left to chase hypothetical threats to the Second Amendment.
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Last minute amendments
The measure Gov. DeWine signed brought together two standalone pieces of firearm legislation late in the session. After those bills were combined House lawmakers proposed tacking on another piece legislation known as the Second Amendment Preservation Act.
Furious at restrictions imposed by the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms, sponsors proposed stripping out all reference to federal firearm provisions in state law in a bid to bar local police forces from assisting federal agencies. They pitched the proposal as an “anti-commandeering” bill — i.e. prohibiting federal officials from using local authorities to enforce federal laws.
But the measure went a few steps further. The initial version sought to inscribe the sponsors’ interpretation of the Second Amendment in state law, a task typically reserved for the courts. With those “infringements” codified, local police departments could face stiff fines for any purported violations. Departments could even be fined for hiring someone who previously worked for a federal agency.
Opponents warned the proposal would cripple task forces fighting drug and human trafficking and undermine tools like the ballistics database authorities rely on in gun violence cases. The Missouri law on which it’s modeled was struck down in federal court, and last year a federal appeals court unanimously upheld that decision.
The House floor amendment adding those provisions to the bill failed.
What now?
Dean Rieck who heads up the Buckeye Firearms Association praised DeWine for signing the measure prohibiting liability insurance and tracking ownership.
He framed the underlying provisions as “fight(ing) recent efforts by gun control advocates to make gun ownership more expensive and less private for law-abiding gun owners instead of cracking down on the actual criminal misuse of firearms.”
As for his organization’s priorities going forward, he said they’d fight “against Second Amendment infringements” and urge both parties to prioritize measures holding violent criminals accountable.
The Second Amendment Preservation Act was a major priority for the organization Ohio Gun Owners. On social media, the group’s president Chris Dorr argued the Republican members who voted against the amendment should face primary challenges. The group later made member-specific thank you posts for the 32 Republicans who wanted to pass the provisions.
A central premise of the measure was that state law can be leveraged to blunt the impact of federal firearm regulations by depriving agencies of local assistance. But even with a conservative, gun-friendly administration taking office, Dorr said it’s just as important to pass the bill.
“It is critical that the General Assembly pass the Ohio Second Amendment Protection Act during the Trump Administration years so that, with a Second-Amendment-friendly Department of Justice, that law can get on the books and stay on the books long after President Trump is gone from the White House,” he argued.
Dorr said they’re expecting to run it back in the coming General Assembly and although he declined to name them, said they’ve got a sponsor. As for their other priorities, he described even greater “stand your ground” protections and the right to “carry, transport or possess any lawful weapon” an Ohioan owns, rather than just handguns.
But for the time being, he emphasized their happiness with DeWine signing any firearm legislation.
“Legislation like this is exactly the kind of legislation the Ohio General Assembly should be putting on his desk in response to the attacks big corporations have leveled against conservative America,” he said.
What opponents think
For organizers pushing for greater gun restrictions, lawmakers eventually balking at the most sweeping proposal doesn’t get chalked up as a win.
During the past session, Democrats proposed a handful of measures exerting a modicum of control over gun sales or promoting gun safety. One bill proposed a 10-day waiting period for gun sales. Another would’ve eliminated taxes on gun locks and other safety devices. The most sweeping proposal would’ve rolled back the law allowing Ohioans to carry concealed weapons without a permit. None of them passed.
Everytown for Gun Safety Senior Counsel Alison Shih criticized the bill DeWine approved last week and derided lawmakers’ months-long debate over the Second Amendment Preservation Act.
“This is a perfect example of what gun rights extremists in Ohio, led by Governor DeWine, love doing,” she argued. “Instead of taking action to end the gun violence crisis — which is killing children and teens more than anything else in this country — in pushing bills like a Second Amendment Preservation Act, lawmakers are creating a culture of fear by inventing some nonsensical ominous boogeyman coming to steal their rights.”
“These lawmakers seem more interested in protecting violence than victims,” she added. “Instead of creating even a moderate culture of responsible gun ownership, these gun extremist lawmakers are sacrificing Ohioan family lives.”
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Nick Evans
Nick Evans has spent the past seven years reporting for NPR member stations in Florida and Ohio. He got his start in Tallahassee, covering issues like redistricting, same sex marriage and medical marijuana. Since arriving in Columbus in 2018, he has covered everything from city council to football. His work on Ohio politics and local policing have been featured numerous times on NPR.
Ohio Capital Journal is part of States Newsroom, the nation’s largest state-focused nonprofit news organization.
Understanding ghost guns requires knowing some basic facts about how guns are constructed.Frames and receivers are the core building blocks of firearms. In a pistol, the frame is the bottom half of the gun, housing the trigger and the magazine. The frame also provides a foundation for the slide and barrel (i.e., the parts a bullet passes through when fired). In a semi-automatic rifle, the receiver houses the trigger parts and magazine and attaches to other parts.
In recent years, companies have used advances in technology to manufacture and sell “firearm parts kits” and “easy-to-complete frames or receivers.” These kits made it simple for anyone with basic tools and internet access to make a do-it-yourself, homemade gun from easy-to-obtain building blocks. These kits—often called “ghost guns”—were previously available for purchase with no background check and no questions asked.
A ghost gun has three key, related characteristics:
It is unserialized;
It is untraceable; and
Its building blocks are acquired without a background check.
Most ghost guns are made from “unfinished” frames and receivers. Unfinished frames and receivers are often marketed as “80 percent” complete. That number suggests a buyer needs to do only 20 percent of the work for the frame or receiver to be assembled into an operable firearm. In reality, these parts can be finished in an hour or so or less.
David Miller is the Managing Editor of Loveland Magazine
by David Miller
Loveland, Ohio – Without a doubt, the human cost of gun violence—the people who are taken from us and the survivors whose lives are forever altered—is the most devastating.
And in addition to the overwhelming human impact of this crisis, we all pay for the enormous economic costs associated with gun violence.
Instead of using taxpayer dollars to clean up after the gun industry’s #KillerBusiness, our government should be investing in education and social services to build healthier, safer, more sustainable communities.
Our federal, state, and local governments spend a combined average of nearly $35 million each day to deal with the aftermath of gun violence across the country—all while gun manufacturers rake in billions in profits and shirk responsibility for their role in this crisis.
The cost of gun violence in the United States each year is five times the nation’s budget for the Department of Education.
That’s why we’re calling on gun manufacturers—including Smith & Wesson, Glock, Daniel Defense, and Sturm, Ruger & Co.—to reform their marketing practices, innovate towards safer products, and regulate their supply chain to reduce the flow of illegal guns.
We’re dedicated to holding them accountable for their deadly business practices.
Because the gun industry has spent decades acting as if it were above the law. Gun companies have innovated their products to become even deadlier, marketed their weapons irresponsibly, and supplied gun dealers with heaps of dangerous weapons.
This Tax Day, we’re focused on holding the gun industry accountable for the damage they’ve caused in communities across the country. We won’t let them get away with it any longer.
What does an AR-15 do to a human body? A visual examination of the deadly damage. – Washington Post
How to Make a Difference
Moms Demand Action is a grassroots movement of Americans fighting for public safety measures that can protect people from gun violence. We pass stronger gun laws and work to close the loopholes that jeopardize the safety of our families. We also work in our own communities and with business leaders to encourage a culture of responsible gun ownership. We know that gun violence is preventable, and we’re committed to doing what it takes to keep families safe.
After Jim Brady, a gun owner, Republican and President Reagan’s Press Secretary, survived a gunshot to his head, he and his wife Sarah, worked tirelessly alongside Democrats and Republicans to pass the bipartisan Brady Bill to ensure background checks were conducted on gun sales. But we cannot rest on that victory. America’s gun violence epidemic continues to worsen. Today, led by Brady President Kris Brown, we work with gun owners and non-gun owners and individuals of all identities and ideologies to create solutions! Together, there is nothing we cannot accomplish.
A movement of nearly 10 million mayors, teachers, survivors, gun owners, students, and everyday Americans.
Ultimately, our movement exists to end gun violence and save lives.
Thanks to the hard work of our volunteers across the country, we have won unprecedented victories against the gun lobby—at the ballot box, in state legislatures, and in corporate America.
Born out of a tragic school shooting, March For Our Lives is a courageous youth-led movement dedicated to promoting civic engagement, education, and direct action by youth to eliminate the epidemic of gun violence.
We aim to create safe and healthy communities and livelihoods where gun violence is obsolete.
From Tragedy To Transformation
Sandy Hook Promise is a national nonprofit organization founded and led by several family members whose loved ones were killed at Sandy Hook Elementary School on December 14, 2012. Based in Newtown, Connecticut, our intent is to honor all victims of gun violence by turning our tragedy into a moment of transformation. By empowering youth to “know the signs” and uniting all people who value the protection of children, we can take meaningful actions in schools, homes, and communities to prevent gun violence and stop the tragic loss of life.
[/vc_column_text][vc_video link=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WXtFhqIhWwo”][vc_column_text]Access to an unsecured firearm in the home increases the risk of injury or death. Protect yourself and your loved ones by storing your guns securely – locked, unloaded, and away from ammunition. Learn more about safe gun storage practices at www.EndFamilyFire.org.[/vc_column_text][vc_video link=”https://youtu.be/UwZXj0rymOU” title=”Access to an unsecured firearm in the home increases the risk of injury or death. Protect yourself and your loved ones by storing your guns securely – locked, unloaded, and away from ammunition. Learn more about safe gun storage practices at www.EndFamilyFire.org.”][/vc_column][/vc_row]
If the gun lobby gets its way, more than half the country will have permitless carry laws in place by the end of 2022.
Just in the past week, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine and Alabama Governor Kay Ivey sided with the gun lobby and signed new permitless carry bills into law, ignoring widespread opposition from law enforcement, community leaders, and their constituents.
These laws are dangerous, and for obvious reasons. Permitless carry laws allow people to carry concealed handguns in public without a permit, without training, and without a background check. Even far-right extremists and white supremacists.
Give to Everytown and Help Defeat the Gun Lobby’s Extremism
As families in Atlanta and countless other communities are still grieving after recent tragic shootings, we’re learning the details of the heartbreaking mass shooting in which at least ten people were shot and killed at a supermarket in Boulder, Colorado.
We need more than thoughts and prayers from our elected leaders to end gun violence in our communities. That’s why we’re demanding action, and we want you to join us.
Right now, no matter where you live, there are many ways you can take action with Everytown for Gun Safety and our local Moms Demand Action volunteer chapters in all 50 states and D.C.Take action now and join the movement to end gun violence.
We’ll be in touch with more ways you can take action soon. Thank you for being with us.
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