Senate Unanimously Passes 'Keep Them Safe' Bill Offering Liability Protections for Voluntary Firearm Storage
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Summary
Substitute Senate Bill 273 passed the Ohio Senate 33‑0 to provide limited civil immunity for federally licensed dealers and law enforcement that offer voluntary firearms storage, a measure sponsors framed as a suicide‑prevention tool.
The Ohio Senate unanimously passed Substitute Senate Bill 273, known as the Keep Them Safe Act, to provide limited civil immunity for federally licensed firearm dealers (FFLs) and law enforcement agencies that voluntarily offer firearms storage to Ohioans.
Senator Kaler, the sponsor, said the bill adds a new statutory section (transcript: "29 23.26") to grant civil immunity and emphasized that storage would be voluntary for gun owners and providers and would not change existing Ohio firearms laws. Kaler framed the measure as a public‑health intervention, citing a floor comment that "16 veterans will commit suicide in the United States today," and noting research indicating that creating time and distance between individuals in crisis and firearms can save lives.
Senator Craig also endorsed the bill on the floor, citing that over 60% of suicide deaths in Ohio involve a firearm and calling the bill an important tool to protect families during vulnerable times.
The clerk called the roll; the chair announced the result as 33 yeas and 0 nays. The bill was passed and entitled and the title was agreed to on the floor.