When Ohio lawmakers debated the merits of revising the Buckeye State’s gun laws, tensions had inevitably risen at times. Ohio’s gun rights are on par with those of the majority of other American states, but the so-called "castle doctrine" came into sharp focus during the most recent round of debates.
In most instances, the state's lawmakers’ recent back-and-forth commentary concerning the Ohio’s gun laws were viewed as friendly toward gun rights advocates — especially with regard to the "state your ground" laws contained within the "castle doctrine."
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Ohio state Rep. Terry Johnson, R-McDermott, was instrumental in bringing House Bill 203 to the state legislature late in 2013. In explaining his amendments — which were designed to soften some of the state’s restrictions — Johnson said he was interested in upholding the provisions set forth in the Second Amendment.
1. “My bill does a few things to roll this back to the freedom of the people to exercise a constitutional right,” Johnson is quoted as saying in a report on
Cleveland.com.
But other lawmakers — including state Rep. Marcia Fudge, D-Warrensville Heights — have asserted the law is polarizing, particularly in light of such high-profile cases as the one in Florida that resulted in George Zimmerman fatally shooting Trayvon Martin.
2. “The fact that this bill continues to move forward in the legislative process is alarming, especially when taking into account its widespread opposition,” Fudge wrote in a news release.
Not surprisingly, the viewpoints aired by advocates on both sides of the debate have mirrored the strength of those shared by lawmakers.
In a Fox News report, James Hayes, an organizer of the Ohio Student Association, said he was concerned about the loosened restrictions within the "castle doctrine," a law that gives people the right to use firearms as an act of self-defense.
3. “As a young black man living in the post-Trayvon world, I have real concerns about the implications of 'stand your ground,'” Hayes is quoted as saying in the FOX News piece.
But Ken Hanson of the Buckeye Firearms Association said he believes an overhaul of "state your ground" has long been necessary in Ohio.
4. “We’ve been using a medieval concept for modern self-defense,” Hanson is quoted as saying on Cleveland.com. “No one believes you can outrun a gun.”
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