New legislation has been introduced in the Ohio House that aims to impose longer prison sentences on repeat offenders who use a firearm while committing another crime.
The Repeat Offender Act enhances penalties for individuals with a history of violence who are found in possession of a firearm despite having a prior felony conviction. It also introduces a specific enhancement for repeat offenders who persistently violate their weapons restriction.
“As an avid supporter of the second amendment, I am committed to advocating for the rights of Ohioans to own guns within the bounds of the law,” emphasized Rep. Bernie Willis, a representative from Springfield. “Regrettably, there are individuals who disregard the law and perpetrate acts of gun violence despite being ineligible to possess firearms. It is imperative that we put an end to their actions, which is why I have proposed this legislation to extend their incarceration periods.”
Possessing a weapon that is still under felony penalties is currently classified as a third-degree felony.
The proposed legislation, still awaiting committee assignment, aims to reduce the severity of the punishment for non-violent offenders who commit their first violation. Under the new law, such offenders would face a fourth-degree felony. However, individuals with a prior conviction for weapons under disability and a history of violent crimes would be subject to a five-year weapons enhancement penalty, in addition to the potential 12-year sentence for the originally charged second-degree felony.
Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost expressed his support for the change.
“I have always been a staunch advocate of the Second Amendment, recognizing the importance of responsible gun ownership. However, it is crucial to differentiate between law-abiding gun owners and individuals who misuse firearms for criminal activities,” stated Yost. He emphasized that the root issue lies with those who commit crimes using guns. The proposed bill aims to specifically target these individuals rather than penalizing responsible gun owners.”
“Our cities will become safer, as this initiative aims to remove armed criminals from our streets without infringing on the rights of law-abiding citizens.”
