Ohio enacts new law impacting purchasing guns

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WSYX) — A new law which took effect Wednesday in Ohio is poised to significantly impact gun owners’ rights.

Senate Bill 58, signed into law by Governor Mike DeWine in January, is being hailed by gun advocates as a victory for Second Amendment supporters.

Eric Delbert, owner of LEPD Firearms and Range, expressed relief over the new legislation.

“Giving people the ability to have that Second Amendment and purchase firearms comes with a lot,” Delbert said. “Taking this out of the mix is really a headache we were concerned about for the last couple of years now knowing that going forward that’s something we don’t have to worry about.”

The law introduces two major changes: it prevents financial institutions from tracking transactions made at gun stores and prohibits the requirement of firearm liability insurance for gun owners.

During the legislative debate in December, Rep. Dontavius Jarrells voiced opposition to the bill, emphasizing the importance of liability insurance.

“Weapons come with inherent risk,” Jarrells said. “The inherent risk of insurance is to mitigate those risks, protecting individuals or families from the devastating financial and emotional toll of unintentional shootings.”

Delbert argued against the necessity of liability insurance, stating, “We saw many states that were not necessarily pro-gun states try to put in legislation that if you owned a firearm that you had to carry liability insurance. There was no reasoning behind that other than to put a hurdle for people who were going to be buying a gun.”