LEGISLATION
Kasich’s gun proposals, which were introduced by Rep. Mike Henne, R-Clayton, who has an “A” rating from the National Rifle Association. Henne said that House Bill 585 would both prevent “sick” individuals from committing mass shootings and protect gun rights.
Kasich developed proposals after forming a group to hammer out agreed-upon measures following mass killings, including the school shooting in Parkland, Florida, in which 17 people died.
The Parkland shooter, who used an AR-15 assault rifle, showed signs of violence before the massacre. The bill would create “extreme risk” protection orders, allowing guns to be preliminarily seized from those deemed to pose a threat to themselves or others.
Asked if gun-control laws would prevent mass shootings, Henne said: “We’re not going to be able to prevent every mass shooting; there’s no way … but we might be able to prevent the next one.”
Asked if “extreme risk” protection orders violate due process, Henne said they would be issued only for an imminent threat, and a court hearing would take place within three days of a gun seizure.
Rep. John Becker, a Cincinnati-area Republican, expressed concern that the bill repeals a section of Ohio law allowing people who have been banned from buying firearms to have that ability restored.
Henne said most of the measure is an attempt to mirror federal law.
The bill has met harsh criticism from gun advocacy groups.
Earlier on Tuesday, a House committee passed a new $10 million schoolsafety grant program that could be used for a variety of efforts, including resource-officer training, school-safety training, safety equipment and identifying and helping students with mental-health issues. The bill also sets new qualifications for school resource officers.
“I can’t change the past, but we can, through this legislation make sure it is more difficult for these types of Fred Guttenberg, the father of a slain Parkland, Florida, student, met in the Statehouse with Gov. John Kasich and three legislators for about 45 minutes Tuesday. events to happen,” Hall told the committee, recounting the terrifying shooting at Chardon.
Hall and the community established the Coach Hall Foundation, which tries to help communities find ways to protect students.
Tim Armelli, a veteran Chardon teacher and president of the foundation, stressed the value of resource officers both for security and as positive role models and mentors for students.
In another Senate committee, Col. Paul Pride, superintendent of the State Highway Patrol, leveled
sharp criticism at a “stand your ground” bill that also would turn a number of concealed-handgun violations into minor-misdemeanor violations.
“In effect, (Senate Bill) 180 removes all incentive for individuals to go through the permitting process, and it shields the criminal element — those who cannot pass a background check — from a custodial arrest,” he said.
Pride noted that under current law, a permit holder faces a fifth-degree felony for knowingly touching his handgun during an encounter with law enforcement. The bill would make it a minor misdemeanor.
“There is no valid justification for permit holders to knowingly touch their firearm during an interaction with a police officer,” Pride said.
Meanwhile, Fred Guttenberg, whose 14-yearold daughter, Jaime, was among the 17 killed on Feb. 14 in Parkland, Florida, met with Kasich and three legislators for about 45 minutes Tuesday afternoon.
Guttenberg, who has relatives in Cincinnati, emerged from the Statehouse meeting to thank Kasich and legislators for pursuing “common sense” gun legislation, such as allowing judges to order the seizure of weapons from disturbed people.
“What the governor and everyone here is trying to do is make it harder for those people to have access to the weapons of war that could be truly devastating,” Guttenberg said.
Guttenberg said he supports Second Amendment rights, but with restrictions. “My daughter had rights. Her rights have been terminated.”
Kasich expressed confidence that his fellow Republicans, who dominate the General Assembly, will pass his “common sense” changes — even if it takes time.
“We’re really looking forward to the ability to move legislation to improve gun safety in this state while still preserving people’s right to keep and bear arms,” he said.