COLUMBUS, Ohio — Columbus City Council has proposed a solution to the issue of gun violence.
What You Need To Know
- Columbus City Council's common sense local gun laws package contains various bills that address gun reform
- The legislation was passed unanimously by city council
- It was able to pass due to a current stop on an Ohio law that prevents local government from legislating on topics like gun reform
- The legislation has provisions to protect firearm owners passing through Columbus
- Organizations like the Buckeye Firearm Association don't agree with the ordinance and might sue the city
When we first met Latonya Nichols in November, we heard her cry for gun reform after losing two of her kids to gun violence.
“I went to Westland Mall and saw a boy walking out with a big gun talking about how I got this,” said Nichols. “Why? Why open carry? Why is everybody allowed to have a gun, explain that to me.”
Columbus City Council has proposed a solution to the problem many families like Nichols’ have gone through.
On Monday, the council unanimously voted to pass a package of bills that they call common sense gun reform legislation.
“The truth is, we know that we can do so much more to stop devastations like these,” said councilperson Shayla Favor. “It's common sense gun laws. That is why tonight we are putting forward a three-part common sense gun reform legislative package. This is about keeping guns out of the wrong hands, advancing gun safety and most importantly, protecting our community.”
The legislation would:
- Prohibit the reckless selling or giving of a gun to someone not allowed to possess a firearm.
- Prohibit the possession of high-capacity magazines.
- Ghost guns have been added to the city code’s definition of firearms.
- Juvenile access to a gun left unattended would be considered negligent homicide and assault
Gun laws are usually up to states to decide, but Columbus was able to pass this ordinance due to a current stop on an Ohio law that prevents local governments from legislating on topics like gun reform.
City attorney Zach Klein said that even if the stop is lifted, the city has grounds to maintain the legislation.
“We believe that regardless of how a court ultimately decides in pre-emption that there are others,” said Klein. “Other bases in Ohio law that we can proceed on these three particular areas of legislation.”
There are provisions in the package that would protect those that are passing through Columbus with a high-capacity magazine firearm, but groups like the Buckeye Firearms Association think the ordinance itself shouldn’t exist and are exploring options to sue the city.
“We think it's unlawful,” said Rob Sexton, with the Buckeye Firearm Association. “We don't think we'll be the only ones that'll be fighting it before it's over. We think Columbus will be ruled against the law and hopefully the court will send a punitive action to award attorney fees to those who bring litigation against the city.”
The bills passed on Monday, meaning they do take precedence in Columbus and legal action can be taken on anyone who violates the law.
In another move involving guns, the Ohio House has passed a bill that bans local governments from stopping gun sales or taking firearms during a state of emergency.