A Franklin County judge has temporarily blocked two gun control laws recently passed by Columbus City Council, following a lawsuit from pro-gun groups.
Court of Common Pleas Judge David Cain issued a temporary restraining order on Friday against two city ordinances passed in May: one that banned the possession or use of bump stocks, and another that banned people from carrying a gun while under protection orders or convicted of domestic violence.
Buckeye Firearms Association and Ohioans for Concealed Carry sued Columbus on Thursday over the laws, arguing that the state blocks municipalities from passing local gun control restrictions. The groups also sued Cincinnati over a similar bump stock ban.
"These lawsuits are not about the bump stock per se, it's about the rule of law in Ohio," said Dean Rieke, executive director of Buckeye Firearms, on Friday. "Because it's our belief that they're passing these laws as a test to see what they can get away with."
Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine submitted a brief in support of a preliminary injunction against the laws. Arguing on behalf of pro-gun groups, DeWine said Ohio law is intended to prevent a "patchwork" of gun laws.
Columubus Attorney Zach Klein says the city is only filling in the gap between state and federal regulations. Klein is expected to move to dismiss the case this week.
The temporary restraining order lasts until July 9. The next hearing in the case is also scheduled for that day.
