Proposed Gun Law From Lakewood Rep. Gets Help From Some Moms

LAKEWOOD, OH — Wednesday was lobby day at the Ohio Statehouse for Moms Demand Action, a non-partisan group working for stricter gun laws. The groups actions inspired two Cleveland-area lawmakers.

State Representatives Nickie Antonio, Democrat from Lakewood, and Janine Boyd, Democrat from Cleveland Heights, said they were given hope by the MDA group. Boyd and Antonio worked together to introduce House Bill 305, known as the "Domestic Violence Victim Protection Act" in July 2017.

The Moms Demand Action group was helping lobby for the bill's passing. Under HB 305, anyone convicted of a domestic violence crime, or served with a civil protection order (CPO), must temporarily turn over their firearms to law enforcement. Judges would still have discretion on when guns would be taken or returned.

The MDA group isn't the only one lobbying for the bill. HB 305 has found a surprising supporter in Republic Governor John Kasich. The term-limited Kasich said in late February 2018 that he wanted to curb gun violence in Ohio and introduced a series of proposals for State Congress to consider.

A couple of weeks later, Kasich and a group of advisers, unveiled six proposals to stymie gun violence in the Buckeye State. One of the six proposals being trumpeted was HB 305. While some celebrated the announcement, others predictably were outraged.

"This is not going to help anything. This is political theater for him. He continues to mindlessly run for president," said Doug Deeken, a member of the Ohioans For Concealed Carry's Board of Directors. "This is just pure political posturing. He knows he can't get to the right of Donald Trump on guns, so he's going to the left."

So far, gun rights advocates appear to be winning. The Domestic Violence Victim Protection Act is currently being considered in the House Federalism and Interstate Relations Committee, but has only gotten one hearing, which game earlier this year.

More about Ohio gun laws:

• 6 New Gun Law Proposals Made By Governor Kasich
• Kasich Wants Gun Control After Florida Shooting

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