Arizona -(Ammoland.com)- The Ohio legislature has passed an override of Governor Kasich’ veto of HB 228. There are several major reforms in Ohio’s HB 228.
One provision is to strengthen Ohio’s preemption statute. Ohio, as with most states, has a law that reserves statutory authority about firearms to the legislature. Local governments and regulatory bodies are not allowed to make a crazy quilt of ordinances and regulations to prevent the exercise of Second Amendment rights in the State.
Local governments refused to repeal ordinances that infringed on second amendment rights, producing a chilling effect on the exercise of those rights.
A provision in the previous statute provided for the recovery of costs and attorney’s fees when cities were sued, to provide an incentive for them to follow the law. Several cities changed their local ordinances as a result.
Some cities used a loophole in the law to discourage further lawsuits. They refused to change the law, fighting the effort in court until the last minute, wasting city resources and costing those challenging their illegal actions as much money as possible. Then, before a court ruling was made, the city council would repeal the statute. This rendered the lawsuit moot, preventing the plaintiff from recouping costs and attorney’s fees.
HB 228 closes that loophole. The entity sued for damages has to pay if:
(2) The ordinance, rule, regulation, resolution, practice, or action or the manner of its enforcement is repealed or rescinded after the civil action was filed but prior to a final court determination of the action.
The number of actions forbidden by local governments was increased to prevent word games. For example, the old statute protected the ability to
“.. own, possess, purchase, sell, transfer, transport, store, or keep any part of a firearm its components, and its ammunition”
HB 228 changes the statute to add more protections:
“.. own, possess, purchase, acquire, transport, store, carry, sell, transfer, manufacture, or keep any firearm, part of a firearm, its components, and its ammunition.
Ohio now forbids local governments from infringements on acquiring, carrying, and manufacturing. Consider the mischief local governments might do by passing a local ordinance against carrying a firearm or reloading (manufacturing) ammunition.
HB 228 also changed the burden of proof in self-defense and defense of others to the defacto standard in 49 other states. Now, the prosecutor has to prove the defendant did not act in self-defense, instead of the defendant having to show they did act in self-defense.
The law shifts the burden of proof in self-defense cases from the defense to the prosecution. It had strong support from pro-gun groups, who said this would put Ohio in step with every other state in the country.
On Thursday, the Ohio House and Ohio Senate each voted with a two-thirds majority to overturn Kasich’s veto.
Buckeye Firearms Association President Jim Irvine said shifting the burden ensures that someone is “innocent until proven guilty… one of the pillars of our nation’s legal system.”
Arizona instituted the Ohio version of the law, from 1997 to 2006. The change resulted in the debacle of the Harold Fish case. The Arizona legislature reversed that decision, but Harold Fish spent years in prison.
The Arizona Legislature passed laws, three different times, to require a new trial before Harold Fish was released from prison. The prosecution chose not to prosecute a new trial.
- HB 228 aligns Ohio’s definition of “shotgun” with federal law, to include the federal ruling the Mossberg Shockwave and similar firearms are not illegal under National Firearms Act rules.
- HB 228 removes the requirement for “no gun” signs in places that allow the legal carry of firearms.
- HB 228 enhances penalties for people who “straw purchase”firearms for felons.
- HB 228 will become effective 90 days after enrollment, probably on the 27th of March, 2019.
About Dean Weingarten:
Dean Weingarten has been a peace officer, a military officer, was on the University of Wisconsin Pistol Team for four years, and was first certified to teach firearms safety in 1973. He taught the Arizona concealed carry course for fifteen years until the goal of constitutional carry was attained. He has degrees in meteorology and mining engineering, and recently retired from the Department of Defense after a 30-year career in Army Research, Development, Testing, and Evaluation.
What if all the major civil rights organizations pooled our resources and brought down one thug politician at a time? NRA, GOA, SAF, and dare I say JPFO and TZP could crush, say, Inslee or Brown or Newsom. We have the Constitution and natural, civil human rights on our side. Sue the bastards into the poor house, run them out of office (even worse for them!) stop this inhumane bs of anti self defense agitating by cowards and fools, people who lack the strength of character to kill a chicken to feed their family; who quail at the very idea… Read more »
Probably the same thing that happened to the British, you would lose as too many Patriots in this country will not allow socialists like you to infringe upon our rights and slowly kill our Nation. There ate over 3 million law abiding gun owners who still believe in God, family, Country, the Constitution and took one or more oaths to protect our Constitution and Country whether it be foriegn or domestic. Sounds like your attacking our Nation
Kasich is one of those jerks that thinks they are the smartest in the room – any room. That sickness was also carried by Hillary, Obama, Carter, Spike Lee, Stalin.
With a name pronounced “K-suck”, what do you expect?
Why did Kasich veto that? It sounds like a good bill.
Because K-suck is a Dem pretending to be a Republican. If he would have won the nomination, Killary would be in the White House. I wouldn’t vote for that POS if he was running unopposed.
I never cared for that SOB. He’s the epitome of RINO. He acted like a typical liberal when he refused to drop out of the race.
Kasich has been, IS and will ALWAYS be a closet DEM, anti gun PRICK ! The typical RINO, voted in by those who believe the PRE ELECTION, say ANYTHING to get elected, BULLSHIT !
I am just glad that while jonney boy was out of the state so long campaigning we had Mary Taylor running the state
We are drowning in anti-gun legislation and bans in WA State. Preemption is the next target of their efforts and the D’s and anti-gunners hold all the reins of state gov’t. There will be no legislative coup to slap down our utra-liberal governor (who, it seems, has Presidential aspirations… so watch out).
Swamp creature
Pittsburgh PA is trying to go over the preemption laws here.
With the Dem gov and ag trying to help. Wasteing our money and ignoring the law. Never let a tragedy go to waste.
Herd the sheeple while they think they are vulnerable.
We’re in the same situation here in WA. This preemption strengthening bill from Ohio is a breath of fresh air. Another aspect of future bills should be to limit out-of-state influence in state and local elections. (ahem… Bloomberg)
Just as bad a “Russian collusion”
John Kasich, a John S. McCain style RINO.
Damned shame he’s not a LOT more like McCain.
You mean a traitor dem too?? Kasich pretty much is that.
McCain is dead, Marine. Just saying, that’s how I understood it. I can’t say I disagree either.
GTFO & stay out, jamf