Ohio gun bill poses questions over state vs federal law enforcement

Misty Severi March 18, 03:53 PMMarch 18, 03:53 PM Video Embed

Ohio lawmakers are currently debating an Ohio bill that would block state law enforcement officers from enforcing more restrictive federal gun regulations.

State Rep. Jean Schmidt (R) said the proposed legislation is a response to federal regulations that “infringe” on Second Amendment rights.

MICHIGAN SENATE OKS RED FLAG, SAFE STORAGE GUN BILLS

“This is a straightforward bill that will ensure Ohioan’s Second Amendment rights are not infringed. This bill eliminates references of the United States Code as they relate to gun laws in Ohio,” Schmidt said, according to Just the News. “The ATF’s recent attempt to curtail Second Amendment rights by classifying legal handguns as illegal short-barrel rifles was a clear overreach of the federal government against law-abiding citizens.”

She continued: “This bill helps to stand against these unlawful rules by ensuring that Ohio gun law is the standard for those who reside in Ohio.”

The legislation, House Bill 51, will stop law enforcement officers, including prosecutors, from enforcing any federal acts, laws, executive orders, administrative orders, rules, regulations, statutes, or ordinances that violate the Second Amendment. Critics claim it raises questions on the Supremacy Clause of the Constitution, but supporters deny the infringement, claiming it instead says that the state of Ohio will not help the federal government enforce its gun-control measures.

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER

The bill is similar to a Missouri bill that was recently ruled unconstitutional by a federal judge. Both bills would fine law enforcement agencies $50,000 for each officer who knowingly enforces federal gun laws that do not align with the state’s laws.

The federal judge did rule that the Missouri law violated the Supremacy Clause.

NewsRead More