Rep. Brewer Urges Calls for Immediate Action on Gun Violence Prevention Legislation After Another Ohio Child Shot
COLUMBUS – State Rep. Darnell T. Brewer (D-Cleveland) today issued the following statement after a one year old child shot himself with an unsecured firearm.
“Today, another child in Ohio was injured after gaining access to a firearm. Thankfully, this incident did not result in a loss of life, but it could have and it has before. As a father, legislator, and advocate for responsible gun ownership and secure storage, I offer my prayers to this child, the family, and everyone affected by this traumatic situation.
Let me be clear: adults must be held accountable when firearms are left unsecured and within children's reach. Safe firearm storage is not optional; it is a responsibility. One careless moment can change lives forever.
Once again, this case exposes an important truth in Ohio: prosecutors are already charging people after children gain access to unsecured firearms. Critics of Amya’s Law often say, ‘We already have laws.’ But this incident proves exactly why clearer child access prevention laws are needed.
Right now, prosecutors are forced to rely on broad charges such as child endangering, negligence, or other criminal statutes after a tragedy has already occurred. Those laws were not specifically designed to address unsecured firearm access by minors. As a result, accountability can vary from county to county and case to case. Our children’s safety should not vary.
Amya’s Law would establish clearer statewide standards focused on prevention, safe storage, education, and accountability to prevent another child from being harmed. It would help define responsible storage practices, encourage training and education, and ensure families understand the seriousness of leaving firearms accessible to children.
This legislation is not about attacking the Second Amendment or demonizing gun owners. Responsible gun owners already practice safe storage every day. This is about protecting children while promoting responsibility.
But we also must stop pretending that these incidents occur in a vacuum.
Too often, after tragedies like this, social media becomes a courtroom where people rush to destroy someone’s character without knowing the full story, the trauma they carry, or the grief they may be enduring. Accountability and compassion can coexist.
According to those close to the individual involved, he recently lost his brother to gun violence. Grief affects decision-making, focus, emotional stability, and judgment. That does not excuse negligence, but it reminds us that untreated trauma can have ripple effects throughout families and communities.
This incident also highlights another growing concern in Ohio: constitutional carry without sufficient investment in education and training. Many people now legally carry firearms without ever receiving formal instruction in safe handling, storage, conflict de-escalation, or child access prevention. Rights must also come with responsibility and education.
Ohio needs:
- Increased firearm-safety education and training
- More accessible mental health and grief support services
- Greater awareness of safe storage
- Community-based violence intervention programs
- Prevention-focused policies such as Amya’s Law
AGAIN, I am pleading, begging with my colleagues: Find your courage. Find your Heart, stop being weak, and stand up. Say something. Encourage secure storage. Even a resolution can save a life. If we cannot unite to protect children from preventable death, please look these families in the eyes and explain why you don't have the heart.
No family should endure this pain, and no community should be forced to deal with it. And no elected official should remain silent while preventable tragedies continue to steal our children from us.
We can save lives in Ohio. We can prevent these deaths in Ohio. We can honor these children and families. But only if we choose courage over comfort, responsibility over fear, and action over empty words.”
In the 136th General Assembly, Rep. Brewer has introduced 15 gun violence prevention bills which can be viewed here.