Ohio Democrats, including members of the Gun Violence Prevention Caucus, unveiled a legislative package on last week aimed at curbing gun violence in the state through safe storage incentives, firearm education, and the creation of a gun safety task force.
The announcement comes as Ohio grapples with significant gun-related fatalities and incidents.
Rep. Darnell Brewer (D-Cleveland) highlighted the urgency of the situation, stating that Ohio experienced 571 gun-related deaths and over 1,700 incidents of gun violence in 2024. While the first half of 2025 has seen 197 lives lost and over 480 incidents, a slightly slower pace than the previous year, the numbers remain concerning.
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Rep. Cecil Thomas (D-Cincinnati) further emphasized the escalating trend, noting a 42% rise in gun deaths and a 66% increase in gun homicides in Ohio between 2013 and 2022.
The proposed package includes:
- Tax credits for the purchase of firearm safety devices like locked safes and for handgun training that meets state requirements.
- A bill to establish safe firearm education programs.
- Legislation to create an Ohio “gun task force”.
- A bill offering comprehensive grants to cities and communities that declare gun violence a public health crisis.
Democratic lawmakers characterized these bills as “bipartisan” and called for Republican support, despite acknowledging that similar proposals have failed in previous legislative sessions due to a lack of cross-party backing. Rep. Brewer, for instance, reintroduced a bill for an Ohio Task Force on Gun Violence, which did not pass committee in the last session but he believes previously received “bipartisan support.”
“These policies do not take away rights. They protect lives,” said Rep. Brewer, emphasizing that the legislation is built on principles of responsibility, education, access, and care, focusing on accountability and transparency rather than condemnation.
Republican legislators have not yet issued a comment on the proposed package.
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