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Sponsors present Senate Bill 98 to bar firearm possession after misdemeanor domestic violence convictions
Summary
Senators said Senate Bill 98 would prohibit firearm possession for people convicted of first-degree misdemeanor domestic violence, align state law with federal restrictions and apply the bar only after conviction; sponsors plan an amendment to remove "charged" language from the bill.
Senators presented sponsor testimony on Senate Bill 98, which they said would prohibit individuals convicted of first-degree misdemeanor domestic violence from possessing firearms or dangerous ordinances.
Senator Craig said domestic violence fatalities involving firearms have risen recently and described SB98 as a focused measure to keep weapons away from proven domestic violence offenders while respecting constitutional protections. Craig said the bill would amend Ohio law to prohibit firearm possession by those convicted of certain domestic violence misdemeanors and that lawmakers "believe this bill would be more effective and constitutionally sound if it applies only to individuals who have been convicted rather than those merely charged." He said sponsors planned an amendment to strike language that currently uses the word "charged".
Senator Weinstein, co-sponsor, described the proposal as a third-degree felony for someone convicted of a first-degree misdemeanor domestic violence offense to possess a firearm, and reiterated sponsors intent to apply the restriction after conviction. Both senators cited statistics on domestic-violence fatalities and the role firearms play in those deaths. A committee member asked for clarification about the bill text; sponsors said they would file an amendment to ensure the law applies only after conviction. The committee held SB98 as a first hearing; no vote was taken.
