Rep. Galonski: Permitless carry legislation puts Ohioans, law enforcement in danger

COLUMBUS —House Government Oversight Committee Member Rep. Tavia Galonski (D-Akron) issued a statement following the committee’s passage of Senate Bill (SB) 215, GOP-backed legislation that would undermine public safety laws that currently require permits for people who carry hidden, loaded handguns in public. SB 215 would eliminate the need for concealed weapon training.

“SB 215 is anti-public safety and anti-police,” said Rep. Galonski. “This legislation puts Ohio law enforcement officials in the line of fire and makes them less safe. We need to be taking steps to make our communities safer, and this dangerous bill does the opposite.”

Democrats introduced several commonsense gun safety amendments during committee, including to: 

Enact the Extreme Risk Protection Order Act;
Require universal background checks for all firearms purchases;
Require that licensed firearms dealers provide information about Ohio’s gun laws with every firearms purchase.
Republicans rejected these amendments. 

After clearing the Government Oversight Committee, SB 215 moves to the House floor for further consideration.