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 organizations, firearms retailers and ranges described the bill as a partnership between public-safety and firearms communities that would not require relinquishment or mandate participation but would provide liability protections to encourage participation.

Tony Coder, CEO of the Ohio Suicide Prevention Foundation, told the committee, "Ohio loses 5 people every day to suicide," and cited state numbers presented in his testimony. He and other witnesses said even short delays in access to a firearm can reduce the risk of a fatal attempt: "About a quarter of those said about 5 minutes," Coder said describing findings from suicide-attempt survivor research cited in his remarks.

Other proponent witnesses described practical reasons they support the bill. Joe King, a manager at Blackwing Shooting Center in Delaware County, said ranges and dealers often see people in crisis and want a lawful path to help: "This bill helps close that gap. It creates a clear, safe and responsible path for those in crisis to temporarily store their firearms while also protecting ranges and retailers like mine from legal liability." Daniel Bennett of the Summit County Suicide Prevention Coalition delivered shorter testimony urging support.

Michelle Heim, of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, called the bill "a common sense gun safety solution" and said it complements education and safe-storage practices. Several witnesses emphasized the bill imposes no statewide storage mandate; participation would be voluntary for firearm owners and for dealers or law enforcement.

Committee members asked limited procedural questions. Senator Schaeffer asked a retailer about legal liability; the witness deferred those technical legal questions to counsel and trade associations. Several witnesses thanked Senator Kohler for sponsoring the legislation and noted written testimony from additional stakeholders, including the Buckeye Firearms Association and local ranges.

The committee held a timed public testimony sequence; the chair asked speakers to respect the three-minute limit. After the panel presentations and the reading of written-only testimony, the chair concluded the second hearing on Senate Bill 273 with no committee vote recorded.

Ending: The bill remains at the committee hearing stage; supporters asked the committee to advance the proposal so participating storage options can be available in Ohio communities. The committee moved on to other agenda items without taking formal action on SB 273.