Assault Weapon Ban Legislation Introduced In Ohio

COLUMBUS, OH — Two Democratic state senators have introduced legislation that would ban assault weapons in Ohio. Senator Michael Skindell, Lakewood, and Senator Charleta Tavares, Columbus, are bringing Senate Bill 260 forward.

“The recent, sorrowful events in Florida and Nevada and so many more places teach us why it is important to ban weapons that are meant for waging war,” said Skindell in a statement. “While we cannot stop every act of suffering inflicted upon the public, it is our responsibility to limit access to these assault weapons. Until better national standards are enacted to regulate the sale of these dangerous assault weapons, Ohio should have its own regulations to protect the public.”

Senate Bill 260 is modeled on an piece of legislation from 2013, Senate Bill 18, which was also co-sponsored by Skindell and Tavares. The new bill would make it a fifth degree felony to possess or acquire an assault weapon.

An "assault weapon" would be defined as an automatic firearm or semi-automatic firearm capable of accepting a detachable magazine with the capacity of accepting 10 or more cartridges, and a semi-automatic firearm with a fixed magazine with the capacity of accepting 10 or more cartridges.

“Assault weapons were designed to be used by trained members of the military to kill people. These weapons, unfortunately, are killing innocent children and adults by people who want to murder, maime and terrorize large masses of people in public spaces,” said Tavares.

Senate Bill 260 would mandate that the Office of the Ohio Attorney General (OAG) create and manage a registration database. Using the database, the OAG's office would issue permits for the purchase of firearms and track the purchase of firearms and ammunition. Ohio retailers would also have to report all sales of firearms and ammunition to the OAG.

Seventeen people were shot to death and numerous others were injured during a Valentine's Day attack at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Florida. Expelled student Nikolas Cruz purchased his alleged murder weapon legally despite a history of contacts with authorities and bizarre behavior.

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