Loychik, Grendell introduce Ohio Second Amendment Safe Haven Act

COLUMBUS — State Reps. Mike Loychik, R-Bazetta, and Diane Grendell, R-Chesterland, on Thursday introduced House Bill 62, known as the Ohio Second Amendment Safe Haven Act, which would designate Ohio as a Second Amendment protective state. 

“I’m happy to represent my constituency and Ohioans across our great state that unequivocally deserve to have their constitutional rights protected,” Loychik said in a news release. “Ohioans have the freedom of the Second Amendment here in our state, and we must prioritize the protection of their right to keep and bear arms.”

The legislation has been assigned to the State and Local Government Committee.

The legislation would affirm the power of state rights over the federal government under the 10th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, especially in defense of the rights and liberties protected under it. The bill also would call on the General Assembly to promote responsible gun ownership, use, enforcement, prompt reporting, storage and condemnation of unlawful activity of firearms.

“I’m proud to stand with several of my colleagues within the General Assembly in supporting our citizens’ Second Amendment rights across our state,” Grendell said. “As representatives sworn in to uphold our Constitution, we must ensure the lawful freedoms of our second amendment are not infringed upon.”

The legislation would consider the following federal acts, laws or executive orders to be considered infringements on Ohioans’ right to keep and bear arms under the Second Amendment:

• Any tax, levy, fee or stamp imposed on firearms, firearm accessories or ammunition not common to all other goods and services and that might reasonably be expected to create a chilling effect on the purchase or ownership of those items by law-abiding citizens;
• Any registering or tracking of firearms, firearm accessories or ammunition that might reasonably be expected to create a chilling effect on the purchase or ownership of those items by law-abiding citizens;
• Any registering or tracking of the owners of firearms, firearm accessories or ammunition that might reasonably be expected to create a chilling effect on the purchase or ownership of those items by law-abiding citizens;
• Any act forbidding the possession, ownership or use or transfer of a firearm, firearm accessory or ammunition by law-abiding citizens;
• Any act ordering the confiscation of firearms, firearm accessories or ammunition from law-abiding citizens.