The controversial “Stand Your Ground” bill has stalled in the Ohio House. HB 228, which makes it easier to use lethal force as self-defense, had its last hearing one day before the mass shooting in Parkland, Florida.
Now, Republican House Speaker Cliff Rosenberger says it’s time to take a step back and look at the bigger picture on gun policies.
Rosenberger says among the issues that could be discussed are limiting high-capacity magazines, banning bump stocks, and implementing “red flag” laws. Those are all proposals that Gov. John Kasich himself is pushing, and which have support among the Democratic minority.
But Rosenberger warns that it’s difficult to legislate personal behavior.
“And somebody wanting to do something bad is always going to find an avenue to be able to do that,” Rosenberger said. “What we need to do is, of course, make sure we’re doing whatever it is possible to make it tough for those that want to do something bad into the future.”
But Rosenberger says “Stand Your Ground,” which removes the requirement for a person to try and retreat before using lethal force in self defense, is still important for people to protect themselves. Though Kasich has threatened a veto on the legislation, Senate president Larry Obhof said he thinks it could pass with a veto-proof majority.
“I think that would easily pass the legislature," Obhof said. "I don’t think there would be any problem with that, no. Now whether we choose to go that route or not remains to be seen.”
