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Senate committee hears broad proponent support for 'Keep Them Safe' firearm-storage bill
Summary
Witnesses including suicide-prevention groups, retailers and gun-range managers told the Senate Armed Services, Veterans Affairs and Public Safety Committee that Senate Bill 273 would offer a voluntary, liability-protected way to store firearms temporarily during crises. No vote was taken; the bill remains under committee consideration.
Columbus — The Senate Armed Services, Veterans Affairs and Public Safety Committee heard proponent testimony on Senate Bill 273, the Keep Them Safe Act, during a second hearing that featured suicide-prevention organizations, firearms retailers and range operators who said the bill would provide a voluntary option to temporarily store firearms outside the home during crises.
Daniel Bennett, coordinator of the Summit County Suicide Prevention Coalition, told the committee, “Senate bill 2 73 is supported by retailers, by suicide by the suicide prevention community and by partners across the state of Ohio. Nothing is mandated through Senate bill 2 73.” Bennett said the bill would allow federally licensed firearms dealers in Ohio to offer storage and create their own terms without fear of liability when the firearm is returned.
The bill’s supporters said the measure is voluntary, offers civil immunity for participating dealers and law enforcement, and aims to reduce suicide by creating time and space for people in crisis. Terry Miller, who identified themself as coordinator for Empower Tusk and chair of a county suicide-prevention committee, said the measure “will save lives and give Ohioans a voluntary safe and stigma free option to temporarily store firearms outside the home.”
Tony Coder, chief executive officer of the Ohio Suicide Prevention Foundation, described the public-health rationale: “Ohio loses 5 people every day to suicide,” he said, and cited 1,777 suicides in 2023. He told the committee that many suicide attempts are impulsive and that delaying access to a firearm even briefly can be lifesaving.
Representatives of the firearms community also supported the bill. Joe King, manager at Blackwing Shooting Center in Delaware, said the bill “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.” King described prior collaborations between ranges and suicide-prevention groups to connect gun owners to mental-health resources.
Michelle Heim of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America said the proposal aligns with safe-storage goals and described the bill as a “common sense gun safety solution.” She urged legislators to approve an option to store firearms with law enforcement or federally licensed firearms dealers.
Committee members took no final action on the bill during the hearing. Several witnesses noted the measure is voluntary for dealers and law enforcement and emphasized it does not mandate surrender of firearms; proponents repeatedly described the proposal as creating legal protections and clearer procedures for temporary storage.
Written testimony was submitted by additional organizations and individuals. No amendments or motions were recorded at this hearing; the bill will remain under committee consideration until further action is scheduled.
The hearing featured multiple brief question-and-answer exchanges between senators and witnesses but no recorded dissenting testimony during the proponent-only panel.
