Things are heating up in the Ohio Statehouse with House Bill 433. Representative Willis Blackshear is pushing for the Bill, which would stop people from owning certain types of guns in the state. While gun control supporters have praised this Bill, critics have claimed it violates people’s rights.
House Bill 433
House Bill 433 aims to stop the sale and use of semi-automatic firearms that can shoot more than 31 rounds without reloading. These guns are known as “mass casaulty” weapons, and similar ones were used during the deadly 2019 Dayton, Ohio shooting. Supporters of the Bill claim it will prevent these powerful weapons from ending up in the wrong hands.
The Dayton Shooting
Nine people were killed in 2019 after a man named Connor Betts shot them with an AR-15-style pistol. Seventeen people were also directly injured by the gunfire, and the mass shooting became the deadliest in the state since 1975. His reasons for killing these people are still unclear, although he was known to be politically left.
Moms Demand Action
Groups like Moms Demand Action have shown support for the measurement, including one member, Michelle Lee Heym. She spoke about the Bill and said, “They’re going to fight it tooth and nail, but we still want to advocate our support for gun safety measures. Get those mass causality weapons off the streets.
No Background Checks
Heym continued, “[A mass casualty weapon] not only incites fear, but it’s not necessary. They’re weapons for the battlefield. You can own a weapon with no background check and no training and to use one of those, you need training on that type of weapon. On any weapon, you need training.”
Reasons For Support
Supporters of the Bill believe it will reduce gun violence and help to make communities safer. They argue there’s no need for regular people to have access to mass-casualty weapons, especially in the wake of the Dayton mass shooting. Some law enforcement officials also support the Bill since they’ve seen the impact of gun violence firsthand.
Law Enforcement
Former Dayton Police Chief Richard Biehl, who was in charge during the Dayton shooting, supports the Bill. He criticized these mass casualty weapons, saying, “We can’t win against weapons like that.” He claims that banning these weapons will help to keep the public and officers safe.
Biehl’s Support
Biehl also spoke about people’s opinions on the Bill, saying, “There is substantial support within the general public for many of these policies, it’s just that elected officials won’t move on that. Well, you know, the public showed that they’re willing to move on (issues) if they felt their basic rights are being threatened.”
People’s Voices
He then added, “I do think the voice of the people has become very strong very recently, and we could see mobilization at a grassroots level to say, ‘We deserve better. Do your job.’” Similarly, Representative Blackshear, the Bill’s main sponsor, said, “There is no reason to have guns equipped with magazines that can hold 50, 70, or even 100 rounds. It’s time to take action and ban these weapons so that our communities can be safer.”
But Not Everyone Agrees
Of course, as with most gun control measures, not everyone supports these changes. Many Republicans and groups like the Buckeye Firearms Association oppose the measures, and they claim the Bill would violate Second Amendment rights. They believe the Bill is too broad and could ban guns that aren’t part of the mass shooting problem.
Is It Unconstitutional?
Representative Josh Williams shared his criticisms of the Bill, saying, “I believe any law you need to introduce has to pass constitutional muster, and these types of law will not. It’s 100% unconstitutional. It is so broad of a definition that it will encompass every single semi-automatic gun known to man other than the very small .22 long rifle caliber.
Other Thoughts
Williams continued, “You’re not going to be able to ban every single gun that Ohioans possess and think it going to pass a constitutional challenge. If we want to amend the Second Amendment, they need to go to the federal legislature and get the ball rolling to amend the Constitution that will make these types of laws legal.”
Previous Crimes
He also said, “In 2016, the majority of gun crimes that were committed in Ohio were done with semi-automatic pistols. Not long rifles, AR15s, AK47s. 90% of the gun crimes that resulted in a loss of life were handguns and 90% of them were someone who had one in unlawful possession.” Even so, Williams did say he supports background checks and gun training.
Possible Punishments
If the Bill passes, anyone who continues to own one of the prohibited guns could face a fifth-degree felony charge unless they are one of the few people who are exempt from this Bill. In Ohio, this kind of felony is the least serious. It can result in jail time between 6 and 12 months, along with a fine of up to $2,500.
Public Opinion
Recent polls suggest that most people in Ohio are supportive of stricter gun laws, especially measures like background checks. The majority of Ohioans agree with laws about safe storage and legally removing any guns from people who are seen as a danger, known as a “red flag” law. Most of them also support a ban on assault weapons.
Another Path
Of course, passing gun control measures is not easy, as some people have suggested putting the measure to a vote instead. This would help pass traditional legal challenges and take the issue to the people. Any new laws would directly reflect people’s opinions and could help speed things up.
Outside Ohio
This debate about gun control isn’t just in Ohio, as it’s part of a national conversation about how we handle gun safety. If House Bill 433 passes, it could affect this national debate and how other states respond to gun control measures. They may choose to do something similar or completely avoid it altogether.
Public Health Approach
In response to the ongoing gun violence, some Demcract candidates in Ohio have argued that we should see gun violence as a public health issue. They claim it would give us better solutions and more ways to solve the crisis beyond bans. They also argue that we need to look at the root causes of gun violence and stop it.
Bipartisan Perspectives
Even though there’s lots of Republican opposition to the Bill, there are some who have supported certain gun control measures. Charlotte McGuire, a member of the state’s Board of Education, said, “I’m for secured freedoms and safe communities. “We’re talking about military-type weapons. Why would you need that for self, and family, and community defense? That’s the question we have to resolve.”
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