Ohio: House Committee on Federalism and Interstate Relations to Hear Omnibus Pro-Gun Legislation Tomorrow

Tomorrow, at 4:00 PM in Room 115 of the State House, the House Committee on Federalism and Interstate Relations has scheduled the first public hearing where they will be accepting public testimony on Substitute House Bill 228.  Please consider attending the hearing to show your support for this important piece of self-defense legislation.  In addition, please contact committee members and urge them to SUPPORT Sub. HB 228.  Click the “Take Action” button below to contact committee members.

Sub. HB 228, sponsored by state Representatives Terry Johnson (R-90) and Sarah LaTourette (R-76), would expand circumstances under which a person has no duty to retreat before using force in self-defense.  Further, this bill would shift the burden of proof to the state, so that the state would have to prove, beyond reasonable doubt, that a person charged with an offense that involved the use of force against another, did not use that force in self-defense.  This legislation also makes other significant changes to Ohio law:

•          Generally bars a rental agreement for "subsidized residential premises" from requiring a tenant to agree to a prohibition or restriction on the lawful ownership, use, or possession of a firearm, a firearm component, or ammunition within the tenant's rental dwelling unit.  Law-abiding gun owners should not be denied the right to Keep and Bear Arms, regardless of their economic status or street address.

•          Strengthens firearms preemption ensuring that laws regarding firearms and ammunition are uniform across the state to guarantee that gun owners and sportsmen are able to exercise their rights equally across Ohio.

•          Adds an affirmative defense to the charge of improperly handling firearms in a motor vehicle which applies if: (1) the firearm was a handgun, (2) the handgun was placed in the motor vehicle by an individual other than the defendant, and (3) the defendant did not know or have reason to know that the handgun was placed in the motor vehicle.    

Again, please consider attending the hearing and click the “Take Action” button above to contact committee members and show your support for self-defense rights in Ohio.  Information on the hearing may be found here.