Related: Stand your ground gun bill advances in House committee
It is the first pro-gun rights bill to advance to a floor vote since the mass shootings in Parkland, Florida and Santa Fe, Texas, which prompted national protests and school walk outs.
Meanwhile, a package of six gun control measures — sponsored by state Rep. Mike Henne, R-Clayton, and supported by Kasich — faces an uphill battle in the GOP-controlled House.
Related: Kasich proposes major changes to Ohio gun laws
“There is no gun law in America that is going to stop a lot of this (mass shootings.) Criminals don’t abide by the law, by their very nature. It’s not to say we’re insensitive to it or don’t want to do something on it. It’s just that people are very protective of the Second Amendment,” Smith said.
Still, Smith said Henne is expected today to explain the bill to his GOP colleagues and what changes he is willing to accept.
He added that the ‘red flag’ provisions — which would allow for a court to order temporary seizure of firearms from someone who appears to be a danger to themselves or other — is challenging.
“There is concern from people that you could weaponize that type of thing in a domestic situation that could be used against people,” he said. “It’s just something we need to be very thoughtful about.”
Related: Gun control advocates push for ‘red flag’ law in Ohio
Five states have such red flag laws and another 18 are considering them, according to Everytown.org, a gun control group. Some 42-percent of mass shooters exhibited concerning behavior before their crimes, according to the Brady Campaign, another gun control group.
Advocates for Red Flag laws also say they can be used to prevent suicides. In 2016, 924 Ohioans died by suicide using firearms. Nationwide, roughly half of suicides are carried out using firearms.
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