Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine signed “stand your ground” gun legislation into law on Monday, expanding protections for law-abiding gun owners by eliminating the “duty to retreat” standard that required a threatened person to flee before deploying lethal force.
“I have always believed that it is vital that law-abiding citizens have the right to legally protect themselves when confronted with a life-threatening situation,” DeWine said in a statement. “While campaigning for Governor, I expressed my support for removing the ambiguity in Ohio’s self-defense law, and Senate Bill 175 accomplishes this goal.”
DeWine, who previously indicated that he might veto the “stand your ground” bill, expressed concerns that the legislation did not include the gun control measures that he proposed in 2019.
“I am very disappointed, however, that the legislature did not include in this bill the essential provisions that I proposed to make it harder for dangerous criminals to illegally possess and use guns,” he said. “The provisions I am requesting in no way infringe upon the constitutional rights of law-abiding citizens to own firearms. … These provisions will save lives. These provisions need to become law.”
Full statement on SB 175 ⬇ pic.twitter.com/tS9iwUbXc3
— Governor Mike DeWine (@GovMikeDeWine) January 4, 2021
DeWine’s remarks allude to “STRONG Ohio,” the gun control package he proposed after the August 2019 mass shooting in Dayton that left nine people dead. The reforms, which were defeated in committee, included provisions such as an expansion of the courts’ confiscatory powers and a modernization of the state’s background check system. When the legislature instead proposed SB 175 a year ago, DeWine indicated that he was displeased with the bill.
“I made my position very clear that we should not be taking up bills like that when we have bills that have been in front of the legislature for a year where we have really the opportunity to directly save lives,” he said in December.
The enactment of SB 175 was met with mixed reviews. Pro-gun control activist groups, such as Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, condemned the law.
“When it comes to gun safety, Gov. DeWine is all talk and no action,” said Lisa Voigt, a volunteer with Ohio Moms Demand Action. “By kowtowing to the extremists in the legislature, he has failed his constituents and let the world know that he stands with the gun lobby over public safety. By signing this reckless, racist legislation, he is putting Ohioans at risk.”
Nan Whaley, mayor of Dayton, called the legislation “dangerous.”
“I can’t express my level of disappointment. … ‘Stand your ground’ will make Ohio less safe — full stop,” she wrote. “Our state needs principled leaders who will stand up for what is right — not what is politically easy.”
My statement on @GovMikeDeWine signing the dangerous “stand your ground” bill. pic.twitter.com/xWXZHGjshX
— Nan Whaley (@nanwhaley) January 4, 2021
Supporters of gun rights applauded the decision. In a joint statement issued Monday evening, state Sens. Tim Schaffer and Terry Johnson celebrated DeWine’s decision.
“We are proud of the governor’s decision to sign Senate Bill 175,” Schaffer said. “The constitutional protections in Senate Bill 175 affirm all law-abiding citizens’ right to self-defense only when confronted by an aggressor with deadly force — nothing more.”
Johnson added: “Anything that preserves or enhances our Second Amendment rights is good for all of us.”
— Terry A Johnson (@DrTerryAJohnson) January 5, 2021
The National Rifle Association praised SB 175 as “important self-defense legislation.”
“This bill ensures that victims are protected should they ever need to defend themselves or others,” said John Weber, Ohio state director for the NRA Institute for Legislative Action. “The NRA also thanks the sponsor of SB 175, Sen. Tim Schaffer, and the state legislature for ensuring this fundamental protection is codified by law.”
