Ohio legislators admit to predetermining votes on gun control legislation they've never read

Persons on both sides of the debate over President Obama's so-called "Affordable Care Act" are likely never to forget Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi's infamous advice to Congress:

"We have to pass the bill so that you can find out what is in it."

Apparently many Ohio legislators are ready to take a page from Pelosi, having told Ohio newspapers how they plan to vote on legislation they've never read - because it hasn't been written yet.

From the Cincinnati Enquirer:

Every member of the Ohio legislature was contacted this week by reporters at the Akron Beacon Journal, Canton Repository, Cincinnati Enquirer, Columbus Dispatch, Dayton Daily News and Toledo Blade.

Lawmakers were asked whether they support DeWine's red flag proposal and what they think is the most critical action the legislature can take to reduce mass shootings.

The poll received responses from 62 of 99 House members and 27 of 33 Senate members. All but one Democrat said they supported DeWine's proposal. Among Republicans, nine said yes – though some said more tweaks are necessary – and 40 were either unsure or wanted to know more specifics about the legislation before weighing in.

Buckeye Firearms Association board member Sean Maloney has pointed out that "persons calling for Red Flag laws are doing so as a knee jerk reaction to tragic situations without first understanding that Ohio Law already provides much more effective tools."

It seems that in too many cases, not only do legislators not understand current law, but they are willing to predetermine their vote on a bill that doesn't even exist yet.

To learn how YOUR legislators responded to this survey, click here.

Then click here to let them know your thoughts about it.

Chad D. Baus served as Buckeye Firearms Association Secretary from 2013-2019. 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, and is also an NRA-certified firearms instructor.