Introduced by Ohio State Representatives (D-Cincinnati) and Jessica Miranda (D-Forest Park) in May 2019, The Child Access Prevention Law would require gun owners to lock their firearms in a safe when children are home.
If the House bill passes, whenever a child in possession of a firearm injures another person, prosecutors can charge gun owners with a first-degree felony. This type of felony is punishable by a maximum 10-year prison term and a fine of up to $20,000.
According to a 2018 study by the Giffords Law Center, nearly 4.6 million children reside in a home with at least one loaded firearm that is not properly secured. The lawmakers also suggest that this fact contributes to the rise of school shootings—since 65 percent of school shooters used firearms that were from home or from a family member to commit their crimes.
Under the proposed law, gun owners with minors in their household must store firearms in a safe that has a tamper-resistant lock or another safety device that prevents children from accessing dangerous weapons.
Upon receiving a bill number, the proposal will be assigned a committee for review.
If you have been arrested on a gun or weapon charge in Cleveland, contact Patituce & Associates today at (440) 471-7784 and request a free case evaluation.
