Ohio committee hears testimony on 'Keep Them Safe' voluntary firearm-storage bill

The Senate Armed Services, Veterans Affairs and Public Safety Committee heard proponent testimony on Senate Bill 273, the Keep Them Safe Act, which would create a voluntary option for temporary firearm storage and provide civil immunity for participating law enforcement agencies and federally licensed firearms dealers.

Supporters told the committee the measure is voluntary and intended to reduce suicide and unintentional shootings by giving people in crisis and their families a way to remove access to firearms. "I support Senate Bill 273 because it will save lives and give Ohioans a voluntary safe and stigma free option to temporarily store firearms outside the home," said Terry Miller, coordinator for Empower Tuscaroras and chair of his county suicide prevention committee.

The nut graf: Witnesses from suicide-prevention…