West Lucas News

State Representatives Bernie Willis (R-Springfield) and Josh Williams (R-Sylvania) have proposed new legislation aimed at curbing violent crime. The bill seeks to increase the penalty for using a firearm in the commission of a violent crime, targeting the most dangerous offenders without altering existing gun laws that could impact law-abiding gun owners.

The Repeat Offender Act will generally heighten penalties for violent offenders found in possession of a firearm while under disability due to previous felony convictions. Additionally, the legislation will establish a weapons-specific criminal enhancement for repeat offenders who persistently violate their weapon restriction.

“As a staunch second amendment supporter I will continue to fight for Ohioans right to legal gun ownership,” Willis stated. “Unfortunately, there are a few that don’t care about the law and continue to carry out acts of gun violence even when they are not legally allowed to possess such weapons. These individuals must be stopped and this is why I have introduced this legislation to increase their time behind bars.”

Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost voiced his support for the bill, saying, “It’s no secret that I’m a strong supporter of the Second Amendment, but there is a big difference between a lawful gun owner and someone who commits a crime with a firearm.” He added that the bill is "surgically targeted" towards those who use guns illegally, asserting it would make cities safer by removing criminals with guns from the streets without infringing on the rights of law-abiding citizens.

Williams further explained, “We have a small group of individuals in our communities who are committing a disproportionate amount of the violent crime, and doing it with firearms. This legislation gives communities the tools they need to address this problem.”

Currently in Ohio, possessing a weapon under disability is considered a third-degree felony. The proposed legislation will reduce the first violation to a fourth-degree felony for non-violent offenders. However, if an individual has prior convictions for weapons under disability and a violent criminal history, they will be eligible for the newly created five-year weapons enhancement penalty. This can be added to the potential 12-year sentence for the originally charged second-degree felony.

The legislation was introduced today and is currently awaiting a House committee assignment.