COLUMBUS (WJER) - Tuscarawas County’s representative in Columbus is commenting on Governor Mike DeWine’s legislative proposal to curb gun violence following the mass shooting in Dayton. 

98th district state representative Brett Hillyer says DeWine’s proposal, which doesn’t include red flag laws that the governor previously expressed interest in, still takes steps to keep guns out of the hands of dangerous people.

“I’m in agreement with his overall goal. The specifics are where we’re gonna have to work through that. For instance, I am supportive of increasing penalties for felons possessing firearms. I think we all agree that law-abiding citizens have the right under the Constitution to have firearms,” he says.

DeWine’s proposal would invoke the “pink slip” method, allowing a judge to decide whether a person should be allowed to own guns. Hillyer says he believes the proposal protects the second amendment for law-abiding citizens while taking steps to address the growing violence problem.

“I think the governor obviously since two months ago has listened to the concerns that I and some other people raised about protecting our 2nd Amendment guarantees under the Constitution, and I think his most recent proposal is starting on the direction of listening to those initial concerns,” he says. 

DeWine’s proposal has been introduced in the state senate. Hillyer says he expects amendments will still be made before making it to the house for approval.  

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