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Ohio Governor Mike DeWine reversed course on his veto warning and signed a gun rights bill expanding the “stand your ground” right in law on Monday.
The controversial “stand your ground” bill eliminates the requirement to withdraw before shooting in self-defense at any location, including businesses, places of worship or demonstrations. The state of Ohio previously allowed residents to “hang on” in their homes or vehicles.
DeWine said he signed the Republican-backed bill in “the spirit of cooperation.”
“It is vital that law-abiding citizens have the right to legally protect themselves when faced with a life-threatening situation,” DeWine said in a statement. declaration. “However, I am very disappointed that the legislator did not include in this bill the essential provisions that I have proposed to make it more difficult for dangerous criminals to possess and use firearms illegally.
Last year, the governor urged lawmakers to overturn the bill after a mass shooting in the city of Dayton left nine dead and 27 injured. The tragedy prompted DeWine to propose a massive overhaul of the state’s gun policy, also known as STRONG Ohio, which aimed to reduce gun violence.
The plan, which died after being in committee for more than a year, consisted of increased penalties for owners of illegal firearms, removing firearms from people deemed to be at risk of harming people and by improving state and federal background checks.
In early December, Dayton Mayor Nan Whaley, Dayton Police Chief Richard Biehl and civil rights groups urged DeWine to vote against the “stand your ground bill,” the NBC affiliate reported, WDTN.
Later that same month, DeWine hinted that he would reject the “stand your ground” bill, WOSM public media reported.
“I have said very clearly that we should not be tackling bills like this, when we have bills that have been before the legislature for a year where we really have the possibility of directly saving money. lives, ”DeWine said at the time. .
The governor’s decision has been criticized by gun control advocates, including Whaley.
“I cannot express my level of disappointment,” Whaley said in a declaration. “Governor DeWine came to our town and took the stage for a vigil for our murdered friends and neighbors and then told us he was with our community in our fight against gun violence. Now it looks like no.”
“Hang on” will make Ohio less secure – period. Our state needs leaders of principle who will stand up for what is right and not what is politically easy, ”she said.
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