Ohio Governor Mike DeWine reversed the course on his veto warning on Monday and signed an arms rights bill that expands the right to “defend your position” in law.
The bill eliminates the duty to back down before shooting self-defense anywhere, including businesses, places of worship or protests. Previously, the state of Ohio allowed residents to “defend their position” only in their homes or vehicles.
DeWine, a Republican, said he signed the Republican-backed project with reservations in a “spirit of cooperation”.
“It is vital that law-abiding citizens have the right to legally protect themselves when faced with a life-threatening situation,” said DeWine in a declaration. “I am very disappointed, however, that the legislature did not include in this bill the essential provisions that I proposed to hinder the illegal possession and use of weapons by dangerous criminals.”
Last year, the governor asked lawmakers to drop the bill after a mass shooting in Dayton left nine dead and 27 injured. The tragedy led DeWine to propose a massive overhaul of the state’s weapons policies, also known as STRONG Ohio, which aimed to reduce armed violence.
The plan, which died after being on the committee for more than a year, consisted of increasing the penalties for the illegal possession of firearms, removing weapons from people considered to be at risk of injuring people and increasing 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 “bill,” reported NBC affiliate WDTN.
Later that month, DeWine hinted that he would reject the bill to “maintain his position,” public media WOSU reported.
“I made my position very clear that we should not accept bills like this, when we have bills that have been in front of the legislature for a year where we really have the opportunity to save lives directly,” said DeWine at the time.
The governor’s decision was denounced by gun control advocates, including many civil rights groups and Whaley.
Among the opposition was a coalition of nine national defense organizations based in Ohio, including the Ohio Coalition Against Armed Violence, US Amnesty International and March for Our Lives Ohio.
“There is no debate about this bill and these policies: Stand Your Ground laws make communities less secure. They increase violence and homicides and are more likely to be used to legally ‘justify’ the murder of people of color. “said the coalition in a statement.
“I can’t express my level of disappointment,” said Whaley in a declaration. “Governor DeWine came to our city and took the stage for a vigil for our murdered friends and neighbors, and then he told us that he supported our community in our fight against armed violence. Now it seems not.”
“’Staying strong’ will make Ohio less secure – period. Our state needs leaders with principles that defend what is right – not what is politically easy, ”she said.
