Gov. John Kasich has gotten even more direct in his statements suggesting his views on gun regulations have changed. Though he’s signed every lawexpanding gun rights he’s been presented with as governor, he says he won’t sign a controversial bill currently under consideration.
In a departure from his usual statement that he doesn’t comment on legislation, Kasich said on NBC’s Meet the Press Dailythat he’s pushing back on one of the 14 bills currently in the legislature that would expand gun rights.
“If I think it’s going to endanger the public, I’m not going to sign it,” Kasich said. “For example, there’s talk now in my state about changing Stand Your Ground. I said, ‘I’m not signing it. Don’t give it to me.’”
Ohio is not currently a “Stand Your Ground” state, according to the Ohio Bar Association, meaning that gun owners must “retreat before using deadly force in self-defense in a public place.” Legislation introduced by Republican state Sens. Joe Uecker and Jay Hottinger would change that, but it’s still being considered in committee.
Kasich’s campaign website used to say he signed every pro-Second Amendment measure during his term, but recently it’s been replaced with a section called “Common Sense on the Second Amendment.” Kasich has also said the group he’s convened to discuss gun regulation recommendations will meet again Wednesday.
