Senate passes Johnson bill protecting Second Amendment rights
Senator Terry Johnson
COLUMBUS – The Ohio State Senate passed Senate Bill 278, introduced by State Senator Terry Johnson (R-McDermott), which would allow individuals to seek punitive or exemplary damages against municipalities which enforce gun control measures that violate Ohio law, the Ohio Constitution, federal law, or the United States Constitution.
"As it stands today in Ohio, it is left to the responsibility of our citizens to challenge and repeal these detestable restrictions, often through the judicial process, and unfortunately out of their own pockets," said Senator Johnson. "Our citizens should feel emboldened if they are to overturn these unlawful regulations, without having to face the financial burden for doing what is right.”
Under current Ohio Law, the state declares any gun control measure in conflict with the U.S. Constitution, Ohio Constitution, state law, or federal law, and allows individuals to seek declaratory or injunctive relief against such laws established by local municipalities. Current law does not allow for punitive or exemplary damages.
"With this legislation, it is my hope that we impose potential financial repercussions for these cities who so frivolously trample on the rights of their residents," added Senator Johnson. "We should allow vigilant defenders of freedom to go through the proper judicial process while simultaneously having financial protections for doing so, through the pursuit of punitive or exemplary damages."
Senate Bill 278 has been sent to the Ohio House for further consideration.
Senator Johnson represents the 14th District in the Ohio Senate, which encompasses all of Adams, Brown, Clermont, and Scioto counties. Learn more at www.OhioSenate.gov/Johnson.
OOO yes
This makes me want to carry a couple hoglegs in and around Dayton, Cincinnati, and Columbus. Daring the leftist city governments to falsely and unconstitutionally arrest me. I'll be living high off the hog in lawsuits... Go ahead and arrest a USMC Veteran, Peace Officer, Correction Officer, Firefighter, and otherwise law-abiding Citizen for lawfully carrying a handgun or two, or three... How about stopping and frisking the actual problem children in the inner cities, bad streets in smaller towns, and the rural locales that have a history of malfeasance???