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Ohio House approves Repeat Offender Act, increases penalties for repeat illegal firearm possession
Summary
The Ohio House passed Substitute House Bill 5, expanding penalties for repeat offenders who unlawfully possess firearms and adding new post-conviction sealing rules; supporters said it would reduce recidivism, opponents warned mandatory penalties and reduced judicial discretion risk unfair outcomes.
COLUMBUS, Ohio — The Ohio House of Representatives on May 20 passed Substitute House Bill 5, the Repeat Offender Act, a measure that raises penalties for repeat illegal firearm possession and changes rules on sealing criminal records. The measure passed on a 71-24 roll call.
Supporters said the bill targets people who repeatedly possess firearms while under disability and will help curb violent crime. “This bill is designed to enhance public safety by removing those repeat offenders from our streets that continue to offend with firearms,” Representative Willis said on the floor.
The bill elevates…
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