Despite Significant Opposition from Law Enforcement, Moms Demand Action Volunteers, Ohio Lawmakers Advanced Permitless Carry Out of Committee
3.1.2022
The Ohio chapters of Moms Demand Action and Students Demand Action, both part of Everytown for Gun Safety’s grassroots network, released the following statement after the Ohio House Government Oversight and Reform Committee advanced OH SB 215, dangerous permitless carry legislation. The bill, which now goes to the full House of Representatives for a vote, would eliminate Ohio’s concealed carry handgun license requirement – a dangerous rollback that has been shown to increase gun violence in other states and is staunchly opposed by law enforcement across Ohio. Moms Demand Action and Students Demand Action volunteers joined Ohio law enforcement officers in calling on lawmakers to reject permitless carry throughout the legislative process.
“It’s outrageous and frustrating that our lawmakers are ignoring law enforcement’s vocal opposition to permitless carry and continue to push through this dangerous bill,” said Kristine Woodworth, a volunteer with Moms Demand Action in Ohio. “Law enforcement across our state agree – there is no reason to get rid of our permitting system. Gutting permitting requirements will put our communities, and the people whose job it is to keep us safe, in danger. This bill should go no further, the House must reject permitless carry.”
Ohio Moms Demand Action and Students Demand Action volunteers joined law enforcement, local officials, public safety advocates, and faith leaders in providing testimony in opposition of permitless carry today and during past hearings of the bill. The Fraternal Order of Police, Catholic Conference of Ohio, Ohio Mayors Alliance, Ohio Association of Chiefs of Polices, and the Ohio Patrolmen’s Benevolent Association all testified against SB 215.
What to know about permitless carry:
- Permitless carry laws strip away a critical tool that law enforcement uses to differentiate between responsible gun owners and those who are prohibited from carrying a loaded weapon in public.
- Permitless carry bills, which eliminate state concealed carry permitting requirements, have increased gun violence in other states that have passed them. States that have weakened their concealed carry permitting systems have experienced an 11 percent increase in handgun homicide rates and a 13-15 percent increase in violent crime rates.
- Polling also shows that permitting systems like Ohio’s current system are overwhelmingly popular. 88 percent of Americans think you should get a permit before carrying a concealed gun in public.
More information about permitless carry is available here. Learn more about gun violence in Ohio here.