Ohio: Committee to Hear Self-Defense Bill Again

On April 17^th, the Ohio state House Federalism and Interstate Relations Committee will be holding an additional hearing to accept proponent/opponent testimony on Substitute House Bill 228 and possibly amend it.  This bill will improve the ability of law-abiding citizens to defend themselves in Ohio.  Please consider attending the hearing to express your support for this important legislation.  In addition, please contact committee members and urge them to SUPPORT Sub. HB 228.  Click the “Take Action” button to contact committee members.

Subtitute House Bill 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, these bills would shift the burden of proof to the state, so 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.

In addition, Sub. HB 228 would:

• 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 to contact the House Federalism and Interstate Relations Committee to SUPPORT Sub. HB 228.  Hearing details may be found here and below.

3:00PM, April 17^th 
Ohio Statehouse, Room 115
1 Capitol Square
Columbus, OH 43215

Chair: Rep. Kristina Roegner (R-37) (614) 466-1177
Vice Chair: Rep. John Becker (R-65) (614) 466-8134 
Ranking Member: Rep. David Leland (D-22) (614) 466-2473
Rep. Michael Ashford (D-44) (614) 466-1401
Rep. Glenn Holmes (D-63) (614) 466-3488
Rep. J. Kyle Koehler (R-79) (614) 466-2038
Rep. Derek Merrin (R-47) (614) 466-1731
Rep. Adam Miller (D-17) (614) 644-6005
Rep. Wes Retherford (R-51) (614) 644-6721
Rep. Ron Young (R-61) (614) 644-6074
Rep. Paul Zeltwanger (R-54) (614) 644-6027