COLUMBUS – A bill signed into law this week by Gov. Mike DeWine that loosens restrictions on concealed-carry requirements has those who advocate for domestic-violence survivors worried that the change could lead to more deadly domestic-violence incidents around the state.
“There’s an 11 times higher risk of a fatal domestic-violence incident when there’s a firearm present. Removing firearms from these dangerous domestic-violence offenders is one of the best ways that we have of decreasing domestic violence related fatalities in the state,” Micaela Deming, policy director of the Ohio Domestic Violence Network, said.
The law eliminates the requirement for gun owners to obtain a concealed-carry license, complete a training course or notify police officers of the presence of a concealed weapon unless they are asked.
While 86 percent of domestic-violence fatalities are perpetrated with a gun, Ohio has no state laws that prevent people convicted of domestic-violence misdemeanors from possessing a gun, Deming said.