duty to retreat
Legislators consider guns, abortion, HB 6 repeal and health department powers in last scheduled sessions
Update: At 10:45 a.m. Thursday, the Senate President announced the body could convene as needed, meaning Thursday might not be the last day of the legislative session. More guns. Fewer abortions. Delaying a nuclear bailout repeal and weakening the health department. With one official legislative day remaining in Ohio’s 133rd General Assembly, Ohio lawmakers have […]
On 8th anniversary of Trayvon Martin shooting, committee fields ‘stand your ground’ support
Eight years to the day after George Zimmerman shot and killed an unarmed black teenager and thrust the phrase into the public lexicon, an Ohio statehouse committee soldiered forward with its review of “stand your ground” legislation. The House Criminal Justice committee continued its consideration Wednesday of the bill, which would remove Ohioans’ “duty to […]
The Ohio Statehouse is obsessed with guns and abortion. Is that what Ohioans want?
Every week it seems we are reporting stories coming from the Ohio Statehouse on one bill or another that further tinkers with Ohio’s abortion and gun laws, typically restricting abortion services and access to abortion services and expanding access to guns. We have a bill that would ban telemedicine as a way to receive abortion-related medicine, in […]
Ohio House committee considers easing ‘duty to retreat’ laws
A House committee began review Thursday of legislation to expand legal protections for people who threaten, maim or kill someone believed to have been posing a lethal threat to them. Current law says Ohioans have no “duty to retreat” if someone breaks into their home or vehicle before acting in self-defense. House Bill 381, if […]
Opponents of Duty to Retreat Act: Change in law would allow ‘open season’
An effort to remove a duty to retreat from Ohio self-defense legislation came up against criticism from students, parents and elected officials in a hearing on the proposal. Cleveland City Councilman Kevin Conwell shared his experience walking in the University Circle in his council ward, where he said a white woman called police because she […]
Gun advocates argue for removal of ‘duty to retreat’ in Ohio
A third hearing on a bill to remove the duty to retreat from a self-defense law was eventful and testy at times on Wednesday in its state Senate committee. Senate Bill 237 would expand the current law, often called the Castle Doctrine, which gives Ohio residents legal standing to use force to defend their home […]
Supporters of ‘Duty to Retreat Act’ testify before Senate committee
A committee of state senators took another look Tuesday at a proposed change to the self-defense law that would eliminate the legal requirement for a person to try to escape an aggressor before fighting back with deadly force. Members of Ohioans for Concealed Carry and Ohio Gun Owners testified in support of Senate Bill 237, […]