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Ohio Poll Results Show Overwhelming Support for Lifesaving Gun Violence Prevention Policies

Columbus, Ohio – While Ohio Republicans work to push the gun lobby’s agenda through dangerous bills during the lame duck session, the #StandWithOhio Coalition highlighted statewide support for commonsense gun safety reforms. New polling commissioned by the gun violence prevention organizations Brady, Giffords and the Ohio Coalition Against Gun Violence shows that an overwhelming majority of Ohio voters support lifesaving policies such as extreme risk protection orders and requiring carry permits. 

The Coalition shared:

“Ohioans have shown a clear path forward for the legislature to enact commonsense reforms to stop gun violence across our state. Instead of advancing the gun lobby’s agenda, they want the legislature to oppose permitless carry and enact an extreme risk law. Ohioans want solutions to address gun violence, not to add guns to our malls, grocery stores and parks. Governor DeWine and the legislature have an opportunity to work with all Ohioans regardless of party and not only pass these reforms, but reject policy proposals and legislative loopholes that put our families in danger. Our leaders can seize this moment and save lives.

The #StandWithOhio coalition encourages all voters to urge their representatives to support needed and lifesaving gun violence prevention policies, and to join with us in opposing harmful policies, such as a possible ‘Stand Your Ground’ bill still under consideration in the Ohio Senate.”

The poll found that:

  • More than 60 percent of Ohio voters oppose a change in Ohio law that would allow Ohioans to carry a concealed loaded gun in public places without a license.
  • 74 percent of Ohio voters support an extreme risk law that would allow family members and/or law enforcement to petition a court to temporarily remove guns from individuals who are at risk of harming themselves or others.
    • Extreme risk protection orders are supported by 69 percent of Ohio Republicans and 61 percent of Ohioans who voted for President Trump in 2016.

About gun lobby bills being pushed in the lame duck session: 

During the lame duck session so far, Ohio Republicans have put forth a number of dangerous policies backed by the gun lobby. These bills include but are not limited to: 

  • A substitution bill to HB248 would make dozens of changes to expand access to guns in Ohio and put Ohioans at risk. Ohio Republicans have not made the substitution language available to the public and are trying to put these policies forward when the public isn’t watching. 
  • HB784 would allow anyone to use “reasonable force, including deadly force, to escape the aggravated riot or riot” if the person was facing “imminent bodily harm.”
  • SB317 would allow school staff to carry concealed weapons on campus without completing the same training as police officers. 
  • SB383 would expand stand your ground in Ohio. 

The polling results above show that Ohioans do not want access to firearms expanded, nor violence empowered, in their state like the bills above would allow. They want real solutions that will make their communities safer. 

About Extreme Risk Protection Orders:

Extreme risk protection orders allow loved ones and law enforcement to proactively seek assistance for a person who is showing concerning signs of violence. These laws, often called “red flag” laws, allow families, household members and law enforcement agencies to petition courts for a civil order to temporarily remove firearms from the possession of a person who is a proven risk of harm to themselves or others. These laws respect due process, are vital tools to prevent gun suicide and ensure that individuals threatening to harm others do not possess weapons capable of carrying out their violent intentions.

In 2018, 52 percent of all suicides in Ohio were suicide by gun. Almost 1,000 people in Ohio took their lives with a firearm. Extreme risk protection laws help loved ones remove weapons from people in crisis and prevent gun suicide.

About Permitless Carry:

Current law in Ohio authorizes residents to apply for a permit to carry a firearm in public spaces. Bills currently under consideration by the Ohio legislature would remove this commonsense permitting process, allowing any resident to carry a firearm in public with few exceptions. This would introduce firearms to public spaces such as movie theaters and public parks where our children play. Ohio voters understand that permitless carry is a threat to public safety and to law enforcement, as it removes requirements to inform police if an individual is carrying a weapon when stopped.

MEDIA REQUESTS

Our experts can speak to the full spectrum of gun violence prevention issues. Have a question? Email us at media@giffords.org.

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