Ohio Takes a Serious Step Toward School Safety, Congress Dithers Over Red Flag Laws – Opinion

Tuesday’s signing of HB99 by Ohio Governor Mike DeWine, a bill that empowers school districts to arm staff, was a major milestone.

Congress is doing its so-called bipartisan dance of “Do something now!” in their rush to pass “common sense” gun legislation in the wake of the Uvalde massacre. Instead, Congress is fixated on laws that harm gun-owners who are law abiding. However, they do nothing to prevent or reduce shootings.

But, Midterms.

Gov. DeWine is making progress with constituents, despite having made mistakes in the past. DeWine needs to be reelected, and he is choosing to make a difference on the gun rights issue vs gun control, instead of waiting for federal action.

It’s a smart move. It’s a smart move. The Buckeye state voted for Donald J. Trump with 3.1 million votes in 2020. They are on track to vote for Trump-endorsed J.D. Vance to Senate. It is likely that Vance will be elected to the Senate.

From the AP

Ohio school districts could begin arming employees as soon as this fall under a bill signed into law Monday by GOP Gov. Mike DeWine.

As a result of the law’s passage, employees must complete up to 24 hours training to be armed. Annual training can take up to 8 hours. The training programs must be approved by the Ohio School Safety Center, and DeWine announced he’s ordering the center to require the maximum 24 hours and the maximum eight hours.

DeWine stated that schools can offer additional training, if needed.

This is what “common sense” looks like. It is possible to create policies which allow school districts freedom of choice. The school districts can approve or deny the measure and their employees may choose to take action. If not, they won’t. There are no one-size-fits all policies. No demands made.

DeWine’s law also addresses safety upgrades to schools and colleges, and beefing up mental health services so that individuals who might be prone to acting out in a harmful way could have the necessary resources to choose differently.

Before announcing the bill signing, the governor outlined several other school safety measures he and lawmakers have promoted, including $100 million for school security upgrades in schools and $5 million for upgrades at colleges.

To work with the districts and provide training, the state will also be adding 28 people to its school safety center. The governor also announced that Ohio provided $1.2 billion to schools for wellness funding, which will help with mental health issues.

Yet, DeWine’s Democrat challenger Nan Whaley, teachers unions, and gun control advocates oppose the new law, saying it is too soon after the Uvalde, Texas shooting and sends a wrong message.

What message does a red flag law send? Are these “March for Our Lives,” protests also sending a wrong message by demanding change and protections from guns, while being critical of the change being enacted? It is apparent that for some, “Do something now!” simply means restricting guns and lawful gun owners in ways they want.

DeWine, who signed a bill allowing permitless carry in March, also went into effect the day after HB99. Both laws are creating stress in Ohio’s gun control lobby. Whaley is leading the charge.

Let’s be clear –– Mike DeWine has made Ohio less safe. Ohio citizens deserve that knowledge, and I agree. #OHGov #HB99pic.twitter.com/tIG0LrPZtj

— Nan Whaley (@nanwhaley) June 13, 2022

That is the case for those who view it as a surrender to NRA.

Ohio has just approved permitless carry. DeWine made a promise to act after the Dayton massacre. What he did was cave into extreme right wing gerrymandered legislature & NRA against the wishes of most constituents incl teachers and parents.https://t.co/DglzGtRPph

— Buckle Up (@Buckleup36) June 13, 2022

The legacy media is following the gun lobby’s lead, spinning this law as though DeWine is reducing training, when what the governor is doing is setting a minimum standard for training that allows staff to carry in school, while encouraging more training and regular maintenance of firearms certification. Firearms policy coalition makes clear that firearms training and gun awareness are key to the success of these laws.

.@OhioAG: Ohio became today the 23rd country to permit citizens to carry concealed guns without having to obtain a permit. Attorney General Dave Yost also stated that firearms training was more essential than ever. pic.twitter.com/1GLSrlAbZB

— Firearms Policy Coalition (@gunpolicy) June 13, 2022