COLUMBUS, Ohio — New gun restrictions passed by the City of Columbus last year will go into effect soon after a judge denied the state’s attempt at blocking the measures.
Columbus City Attorney Zach Klein announced the decision from the Fairfield County Common Pleas Court on Friday.
“Today, the rule of law prevailed, and the biggest winners are the residents of Columbus who want nothing more than to take commonsense and reasonable steps to reduce the scourge of gun violence in our neighborhoods and keep our kids and communities safe,” Klein said.
On Dec. 5, 2022, Columbus City Council passed legislation that would prohibit civilians from possessing large-capacity magazines of 30 or more rounds and create penalties for both people who store their firearms where children could gain access or sell a gun to someone who is prohibited from owning one.
The following week, the State of Ohio filed a lawsuit in Fairfield County to block the measures, saying the ordinances violated the Ohio Constitution.
The court granted a temporary restraining order and a hearing for the state’s motion on a preliminary injunction to block the measures was held on Jan. 12.
According to the city, Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost attempted to argue that the city’s safe storage ordinance was unconstitutional because the state allowed child soldiers during the Civil War. The judge refused to admit the exhibit into evidence.
The judge also found the state failed to present evidence that the safe storage prohibits access and use in home defense, the magazine limit outlaws AR-15s and that any harm will results in the implementation of these measures.
This decision allows the city’s ordinances to go into effect starting at midnight on Jan. 21.
10TV has reached out to the Ohio Attorney General’s Office for a comment on Friday’s decision.
