The Ohio Mayors Alliance has sent a letter to the governor making recommendations on how to reduce gun crime and better protect children from accessing and using firearms.
LIMA, OH (WLIO) - Lima Mayor Sharetta Smith joined other mayors in the state in asking Governor Mike DeWine to address the epidemic of gun violence.
The letter references the recent rash of gun violence in Ohio to remind state legislators how important it is to address the issue.
The Ohio Mayors Alliance has sent a letter to the governor making recommendations on how to reduce gun crime and better protect children from accessing and using firearms. The letter references the recent rash of gun violence in Ohio to remind state legislators how important it is to address the issue.
What they are asking for is a state-level research unit on the prevention of firearm deaths, more state grants for technology and data strategies to reduce violent crime.
"We are sending the message that gun violence is not a political issue. It's not a Republican or Democratic issue. We're not against the Second Amendment. We're just asking for some common sense reform to help our communities address this issue with gun violence," explained Mayor Sharetta Smith, City of Lima.
What they are asking for is a state-level research unit on the prevention of firearm deaths, more state grants for technology and data strategies to reduce violent crime, requiring gun owners to report stolen firearms, and re-engaging the need for law changes to reduce gun violence.
July 17, 2024, Press Release from the City of Lima: On July 16, 2024, Lima Mayor Sharetta Smith joined Mayors from 11 other Ohio cities in submitting a letter to Ohio Governor Mike DeWine with the hopes of addressing gun crime and youth access to firearms. The bipartisan coalition formed through the Ohio Mayors Alliance is advocating for a partnership between the Governor’s office and Ohio cities to enact five recommendations:
- “Establish a state-level research unit dedicated to supporting cities and law enforcement agencies with analysis, research, and data sharing focused on the prevention of firearm-related deaths in Ohio.”
- “Double down on state grants to cities and local law enforcement agencies for technology support and data-driven strategies to reduce violent crime.”
- “Reduce the number of stolen firearms being used in violent crimes by promoting awareness and enforcement of ORC 2923.20(A)(7), which requires gun owners to report a lost or stolen firearm.”
- “Incentivize law enforcement agencies to input recovered gun information into the federal eTrace system and to share that tracing data across all jurisdictions.”
- “Re-engage legislative leaders on needed state law changes that will reduce gun violence and improve public safety in Ohio.”
“Addressing gun crime and youth access to firearms doesn’t have to be a polarizing issue. This bipartisan coalition is proof that there are viable solutions that we can implement together to help protect our communities from the tragedies of gun violence,” states Mayor Sharetta Smith.
You can read the letter to Governor Mike DeWine from the Ohio Mayors Alliance by clicking on the PDF below.
