Moms urge lawmakers to ditch "Stand Your Ground" bill

COLUMBUS, Ohio — A controversial gun bill in the Ohio Statehouse could be passed into law but people against it urged lawmakers Monday to change their minds. House Speaker Ryan Smith, R - Bidwell, said last week he believed there were enough votes in the Republican majority to pass the bill.

Smith said the series of gun reforms backed by Governor Kasich had less support among lawmakers than the bill many call "Stand Your Ground". Ohio law allows people to defend themselves in their home or in their car without any duty to retreat. The bill would extend that protection to anywhere someone is legally allowed to be.

“Ohio needs legislation on guns but we need legislation that keeps us safer while protecting our Second Amendment rights," said Emily Knowles, who delivered nearly 2,500 petitions against House Bill 228 to Speaker Smith's office Monday with the group Moms Demand Action. “Other states have enacted these laws so we can learn from them and see that it hasn’t led to anything good.”

Knowles and other critics worry the law will lead to more violence if people resort to using deadly force instead of trying to leave a situation before it escalates.

Supporters of the bill said they don't see the bill as "stand your ground" but more as a "burden of proof" because people wouldn't have to prove they feared for their lives before being cleared for defending themselves.

"I think it's long, long overdue," said John Creal with L.E.P.D. in north Columbus. "I think if most citizens realize that they were guilty and had to prove themselves innocent when they defended their life, they'd be surprised to know that."

The bill has several rounds of voting left. It's passed out of a House committee but still hasn't been voted on by the full House. Lawmakers have until the end of the year to approve it.

“We hoped that all of those people showing why it was a bad idea would have stopped this bill but unfortunately it is coming up for a vote," Knowles said. "It’s not too late.”

Kasich has threatened to veto the bill if it's approved but Smith said he believes there may be enough votes to override that veto.