Among Gov. John Kasich’s new proposals on gun laws are a ban on accelerators called "bump stocks” and a so-called “red flag” bill, which would allow law enforcement to seize guns of people deemed to be dangerous.
But these ideas have already been proposed by minority Democrats in the Republican-dominated legislature. And so far, they haven't gotten anywhere.
State Sen. Joe Schiavoni (D-Boardman) is running for governor, and he and fellow Sen. Sandra Williams (D-Cleveland) wrote their “red flag” bill right after Kasich’s public pivot on gun regulations following the Valentine’s Day school shooting in Florida.
“We need to be able to figure out the people that have serious problems that have these firearms and take those guns away. That’s got to be part of this thing,” Schiavoni said in an interview on "The State of Ohio.”
When Kasich unveiled his proposals, he said he’s confident they can pass, but he didn’t speak out for Schiavoni’s bill.
Another of Kasich’s suggestions – prohibiting people convicted of domestic violence from buying or possessing firearms – already has its own bill, SB 150, introduced last May by state Sen. Edna Brown (D-Toledo).
Kasich also said he’s wanted a ban on bump stocks since the Las Vegas shooting in October. But he seemed unfamiliar with a bill to do that, SB 219, proposed in October by Democratic state Sen. Cecil Thomas of Cincinnati. That bill hasn’t yet had a hearing.
Following the tragedy in Las Vegas, I intro'd SB 219 to ban bump stocks. Other @OhioSenateDems have intro'd bills included in the Gov’s proposal. These bills have yet to receive much attention by the legislature, but I hope they will now become a priority. Lives are at stake. https://t.co/Xbwz3E2ZG8
— Senator Cecil Thomas (@CecilThomasOH) March 1, 2018
Kasich proposed moderate fixes in the gun background check system. Thomas also called for the creation of a gun registration database in February, along with a ban on assault weapons. (SB 260).
