COLUMBUS, Ohio - Ohio Governor Mike DeWine announced Tuesday a number of proposals to reduce gun violence and increase mental health treatment in the wake of the Dayton mass shooting.
The governor's plan consists of 17 proposals he said that he believes will address both sides of the gun violence issue.
“I believe that this is both a public safety issue and an individual wellness issue – we must address both sides to help solve the problem. It’s time to do something, and that is exactly what we are going to do,” DeWine said during a Tuesday morning press conference.
Governor DeWine's proposals include:
- A law authorizing courts to issue Safety Protection Orders which would remove firearms from potentially dangerous individuals.
- Increased access to inpatient psychiatric care
- Additional funding for early intervention programs in Ohio schools
- Expanded access to behavioral health services
- Laws requiring background checks for all firearms sales in Ohio, with certain limited exceptions, including gifts between family members.
- Increased penalties for felons who illegally possess firearms, people who commit felonies while in possessing firearms, for brandishing a gun, for straw purchases or illegally obtained guns.
- Funding to help harden soft targets like non-profits and religious organizations.
You can find a full explanation of the Governor's proposals here.