Kasich attempts to fill gaps in firearms background checks – News – The Columbus Dispatch



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Ohio Governor John Kasich is trying to fill the news reporting gap that could allow suspects and people with mental disorders to buy guns – despite laws banning such sales.

A group appointed by Kasich to review information provided by Ohio to the National Criminal Verification System used by federally licensed firearms dealers identified several reporting flaws.

"There are gaps in our system," Kasich said. "Twenty percent of the time, there could be a blind sale … it's unlikely that dangerous people could buy guns."

The governor signed a decree on Monday requiring Ohio law enforcement to immediately transmit information to the state, which then forwards it to the FBI, on domestic violence protection orders and other arrest warrants. that have not yet been served on the suspects. .

Federal law prohibits the sale of weapons to such people, but Ohio has not asked the police to report such disqualifying factors to the FBI to block the sale of firearms.

The group also found that people under criminal charge were also prohibited from buying firearms, as the state's law did not impose this obligation on the system. background check for firearms. Ohio could also receive duplicate or unrelated reports from probate courts and mental health facilities on people deemed mentally disordered because of uncertain reporting requirements, the report said.

The governor's group, which he made permanent, will continue to work to find ways to fill what he has called "significant gaps". Kasich said he would likely ask legislators to approve funding to help local court clerks and others acquire technology to quickly upload criminal conviction documents to the Ohio Criminal Investigation Bureau. . Some courts have been slow to send convictions to the state.

FBI figures show that there were 753,072 gun record checks in Ohio last year. Previous estimates place the number of rejected sales, mainly because the potential buyer would be a convicted offender, at more than 7,500 per year. No verification is required in private sales.

Kasich also once again urged his Republican colleagues in the GOP-controlled General Assembly to adopt his package of "common sense" reforms to curb armed violence, a "red flag" law allowing judges to order removal of firearms. risk of harm or injury to others and other movements.

"It would go a long way to make our state safer," Kasich said. "These will become law, I do not know when, but the pressure will continue to rise" as shootings continue to occur. I said.

Some Republicans hesitated in an election year to amend Ohio's gun laws, prompting the governor to say that it was making him "crazy."

"The lame duck (session after the election) would be a good time to spend something responsible and responsive," said Kasich, who maintains that his proposals respect gun ownership rights. "The second amendment does not say that you should give a firearm to someone who is emotionally unstable and poses a threat to himself and his family," Kasich said.

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@RandyLudlow

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