Explanation
On August 4, 2019, in Dayton, Ohio just a short drive down the road, an armed gunman headed to the Oregon Entertainment District armed with a semi-automatic firearm equipped with a 100-round drum magazine and proceeded to carry out a mass shooting in which 9 people were killed and 27 were injured in just thirty seconds. Since then numerous additional mass shootings have taken place.
Columbus has not been immune to gun violence, it has long plagued our city, robbing us of our most valuable asset, our people. We have seen how gun violence has ripped through our communities especially among our youth. Last year alone, 91% of homicides in Columbus were committed with a firearm. Gun control simply cannot wait. This legislation will effectuate common sense gun reform in our community thereby creating a safer Columbus.
Title
To amend sections 2303.05, 2303.14, 2323.11, and 2323.20; to enact sections 2323.191, 2323.32, and 2323.321, and to repeal existing sections 2303.05, 2303.14, 2323.11, and 2323.20 of Columbus City Codes to effectuate common sense gun reform; and to declare an emergency.
Body
WHEREAS, more Ohioans died from firearms in 2021 than almost any year on record, according to Ohio Department of Health data; and
WHEREAS, despite this fact, the Ohio legislature has steadily relaxed state gun laws; and
WHEREAS, the Columbus Division of Police has arrested 36% more juveniles for gun violations this year than in 2021; and
WHEREAS, 13% of the juveniles that were arrested for guns in 2022 brought the firearm with them to school; and
WHEREAS, gun violence has continually plagued our city, robbing us of our most valuable assets, our people; and
WHEREAS, the Mayor of Columbus has declared gun violence a public health crisis; and
WHEREAS, in 2021, 91% of homicides in Columbus were committed with a firearm; and
WHEREAS, the safety of residents is of paramount importance; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of t...
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