Friday, May 26, 2023 CONTACT: Cameron Keir | [email protected] | 614-359-5346

Columbus, OH — Governor Mike DeWine once again refused to do his Constitutional Duty while standing in Columbus’s way when it comes to protecting neighbors from gun violence. 

Amidst a legal challenge from the City of Columbus over enforcing common sense gun safety measures including safe gun storage and magazine capacity limits, DeWine was directly questioned by Ohio Capital Journal/WEWS-TV’s Morgan Trau in the wake of a tragic shooting in Cleveland.

DeWine ignored questions from Trau asking if he would veto new legislation aimed to help police enforce gun laws similar to his veto of flavored tobacco legislation allowing cities control over sales. In a follow up, DeWine’s spokesperson attacked efforts Mayor Andrew Ginther implemented to keep Columbus neighbors safe saying: “[T]obacco is a public health concern, while gun violence is not. Gun violence could fall into a public safety concern, not health.”

As this dangerous rhetoric directly impacts Mayor Ginther’s ability to do his sworn duty, Mayor Ginther issued the following response to Governor Mike DeWine through his reelection campaign: 

“Ohio’s dangerous legislative games with guns have gone on long enough. It’s time for real, meaningful action to protect Ohioans once and for all. If Governor DeWine and the rest of the radical lawmakers are too scared to stand up to the gun lobby for common sense, legislation that’s backed by police, I say get out of our way and let us do what’s best for Columbus,” said Mayor Ginther.  

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