Bill to fix drafting error on Shockwave fix passed by House committee

A bill to fix a drafting error made by the Legislative Services Commission (LSC) on HB 228 was passed out of the House Federalism Committee yesterday on a 8-5 party-line vote.

From the Gongwer News Service's coverage of the hearing:

A House committee Wednesday reported a measure to correct a drafting error in controversial firearm legislation from last session despite objections from Democratic members.

The House Federalism Committee also voted 9-4 to install an emergency clause, with Rep. Joe Miller (D-Amherst) joining Republicans in support of that move. But Rep. Miller sided with fellow Democrats in voting against the bill, which advanced 8-5.

Before the vote, Chairman Rep. John Becker (R-Union Township) informed the committee that the bill contains no new policy measures, and observed that the error occurred because of late night, marathon lame duck sessions during which the measure passed and lawmakers overrode a gubernatorial veto.

While some have sought to scare Ohio gun owners with conspiracy theories alleging that the error would have resulted in a ban of certain firearms, Gongwer notes that legislators cited a LSC legal analysis that proves those claims to be fake news.

Democrats also questioned the need for the bill following a Legislative Service Commission legal opinion stating the mix-up doesn't ban certain firearms as gun rights groups claim.

"The bottom line: the conclusion of the lawyer from LSC…says we don't have a problem," Rep. Adam Miller said.

Those propagating this fake news have also sought to blame Buckeye Firearms Association for the LSC's drafting error, which went undetected by anyone in the flurry of legislative activity during the lame duck session. In fact, BFA representatives began working with legislators immediately upon discovery of the error and are leading the legislative effort to correct it.

Documents considered by the committee before the vote, including an analysis of HB 86, can be downloaded here.

Download the House bill here.

Companion legislation (SB 53) also received its first Senate committee hearing yesterday and is expected to advance from committee next week.

Download the Senate bill here.

Chad D. Baus is the Buckeye Firearms Association Secretary and an NRA-certified firearms instructor. He is co-founder of BFA-PAC, and served as its Vice Chairman for 15 years. He is the editor of BuckeyeFirearms.org, which received the Outdoor Writers of Ohio 2013 Supporting Member Award for Best Website.