Jonah Patel
On March 14, 2022, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine signed Senate Bill 215, allowing Ohio residents 21 and older to carry concealed firearms without a permit, training, or background check. The bill, also known as the constitutional carry bill, was supported by gun-rights advocates and the National Rifle Association (NRA) but faced opposition from police groups and gun control advocates. DeWine's decision to sign the bill was criticized by some as a betrayal of his promise to reduce gun violence.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name of the Bill | Senate Bill 215 |
| Signed by | Governor Mike DeWine |
| State | Ohio |
| Date | March 14, 2022 |
| Purpose | To allow Ohio residents 21 and older to conceal firearms they are legally allowed to own without training or permits |
| Supporters | Buckeye Firearms Association, National Rifle Association, Dean Rieck, Dan Tierney, Rep. Shane Wilkin, R-Hillsboro, Gun-rights advocates |
| Opposition | Former Dayton mayor and Democratic candidate for governor Nan Whaley, Dion Green, Toby Hoover, House Minority Leader Allison Russo, D-Upper Arlington, Police agencies like the Ohio Fraternal Order of Police |
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What You'll Learn
Ohio's gun laws have been relaxed over the last 20 years
In 2020, Governor Mike DeWine signed the "stand your ground" bill, which removed the requirement for individuals to retreat before using lethal force in self-defence. This bill was supported by the Buckeye Firearms Association, a gun lobby organization, and gun-rights advocates. However, it was opposed by police groups and gun control advocates who believed that it would put officers and communities at increased risk.
In 2022, DeWine signed Senate Bill 215, a controversial constitutional carry bill that eliminated the requirement for permits, training, and background checks for individuals to carry a concealed weapon. This bill was criticized by the Dispatch Editorial Board and former Dayton mayor Nan Whaley, who accused DeWine of breaking his promise to reduce gun violence. Despite the criticism, gun-rights advocates praised the bill as a victory for the Constitutional right to keep and bear arms.
Ohio's gun laws continue to be a topic of debate, with lawmakers passing a law allowing K-12 schools to arm teachers and removing the requirement to obtain a permit and safety training before carrying a concealed gun in public. These changes have been made despite Ohio's increasing gun homicide rate, which has risen above the nationwide increase.
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DeWine's decision goes against his pledge to curb gun deaths
Gov. Mike DeWine of Ohio signed Senate Bill 215 into law on Monday, making it legal for Ohio residents aged 21 and older to carry concealed firearms without a permit. The bill also removes the requirement for eight hours of gun safety training and a background check to carry a concealed weapon.
DeWine's decision to sign the bill goes against his pledge to curb gun deaths. After a mass shooting in Dayton, DeWine had promised to do something to reduce gun violence. However, by signing the constitutional carry bill, DeWine has instead made it easier for people to access and carry guns, potentially leading to more gun violence.
Critics of the bill, including gun control advocates and survivors of gun violence, argue that DeWine's decision puts the lives of Ohioans at risk. They accuse the governor of caving to pressure from gun lobby groups and prioritizing political interests over public safety. The bill has also been opposed by law enforcement officers, who believe that eliminating the permitting system will put their communities at risk.
DeWine's history on gun issues is complex. While he once supported background checks at gun shows and an assault weapons ban, his position has shifted over time, and he has become more pro-Second Amendment and pro-gun. This shift may be due, in part, to political calculations and the influence of powerful gun lobby organizations.
Despite the concerns raised by critics, DeWine's decision to sign the constitutional carry bill has been celebrated by gun rights advocates and some Ohio residents who believe it upholds their Second Amendment rights.
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The bill removes the requirement for gun safety training
On March 15, 2022, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine signed Senate Bill 215, a controversial piece of legislation that allows Ohio residents to carry concealed firearms without a permit or training. This bill, often referred to as a "constitutional carry" or "permitless carry" bill, has sparked intense debate and criticism from police agencies, gun control advocates, and DeWine's detractors.
Proponents of the bill, including gun-rights advocates and the Buckeye Firearms Association, argue that it upholds the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding citizens to keep and bear arms. They view the bill as a victory for gun owners, who no longer need to obtain a permit or undergo training to carry a concealed weapon.
However, critics argue that removing the training requirement poses significant risks to public safety. They contend that individuals without proper training are more likely to mishandle firearms, leading to accidental shootings or increased gun violence. A study by researchers at the Johns Hopkins Center for Gun Violence Solutions supports this concern, finding that states that removed training requirements for concealed carry permits experienced a 32% increase in violent gun assaults.
While opinions on constitutional carry or permitless carry vary, the bill's passage in Ohio highlights the ongoing debate surrounding gun control and public safety in the United States.
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The bill removes the requirement for background checks
On March 15, 2022, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine signed Senate Bill 215, a controversial piece of legislation that removes the requirement for a permit, training, and background checks to carry a concealed weapon. The bill allows Ohio residents aged 21 and older to conceal firearms they are legally allowed to own without training or permits.
The signing of the bill has been met with mixed reactions. Gun-rights advocates praised the governor for his action, with the Buckeye Firearms Association calling it "a day that will go down in history." However, the bill has also faced strong opposition from police groups, gun control advocates, and DeWine's detractors, who argue that it defies his pledge to curb gun deaths and puts communities at greater risk of gun violence.
The removal of background check requirements in the constitutional carry bill is particularly concerning for those advocating for stricter gun control measures. Background checks are seen as a crucial tool in preventing firearms from falling into the wrong hands. In the United States, federal law mandates that all firearm dealers conduct background checks before transferring a gun to a non-dealer. This is typically done through the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS).
However, there have been efforts to strengthen and close loopholes in the background check system. For instance, the NICS Data Integrity Act, introduced by Democratic senators, aims to address the issue of incomplete background checks by allowing the FBI to retain records until the checks are completed. This addresses the current requirement for the FBI to purge incomplete background checks from its systems if they are not finalized within 88 days, which has resulted in guns being sold without finished background checks.
The debate around constitutional carry and background checks is part of a broader discussion about the balance between gun rights and public safety. While gun-rights advocates celebrate the removal of permitting, training, and background check requirements as a restoration of rights, gun-violence watchdogs view it as a significant erosion of public safety.
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The bill was supported by Republicans and opposed by Democrats
Ohio Governor Mike DeWine signed the controversial constitutional carry bill into law in March 2022. The bill, which removes the requirement for Ohio residents aged 21 and older to obtain a permit or training to carry a concealed firearm, was supported by Republicans and opposed by Democrats.
The bill was introduced in the Ohio House of Representatives, which is dominated by Republicans, and passed without a veto-proof majority. All 99 seats in the House were up for election that year, and Governor DeWine himself faced three Republican primary challengers, all of whom were more supportive of relaxing gun regulations. This political context may have influenced the bill's passage.
Republicans who supported the bill argued that it was a means of upholding the Second Amendment right to keep and bear arms and shielding gun owners from "intrusive government overreach." They also trusted that Ohioans were responsible enough to own and carry firearms without the need for permits or training.
On the other hand, Democrats opposed the bill, arguing that it would increase the risk of gun violence and make it more challenging for law enforcement to ensure community safety. They criticized the bill for removing important safeguards, such as permitting, training, and background check requirements. Police agencies, such as the Ohio Fraternal Order of Police, lobbied against the bill, expressing concerns about the potential risks to officers and the community.
The bill's signing was praised by gun-rights advocates and organizations, such as the Buckeye Firearms Association, who celebrated it as a historic moment for Ohio and the Second Amendment. However, it was met with disappointment and concern by those advocating for gun control and efforts to reduce gun violence.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Governor Mike DeWine of Ohio signed Senate Bill 215, allowing constitutional carry, into law on March 14, 2022.
The bill allows anyone 21 or older who is legally allowed to own a gun to carry a concealed firearm without a permit or training. It also removes the requirement for eight hours of gun safety training and a background check to carry a concealed weapon.
DeWine's decision to sign the bill has been criticized by gun control advocates, police groups, and Democrats, who argue that it will increase gun violence and put communities and police officers at risk. However, the bill has been praised by gun-rights advocates and the National Rifle Association (NRA), who thanked DeWine for upholding the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding citizens.
