Ohio Senate Sends Koehler's Keep Them Safe Act to Governor

COLUMBUS—The Ohio Senate concurred with the Ohio House on the Keep Them Safe Act, sponsored by State Senator Kyle Koehler (R-Springfield), to create more opportunities for gun owners to voluntarily store their firearms. 

The legislation, also known as Substitute Senate Bill 273, provides guidelines and offers civil immunity for Federal Firearm Licensees (FFLs) and law enforcement agencies who choose to offer gun storage. 

Sub SB 273 was passed unanimously by the Ohio Senate and the Ohio House of Representatives and is supported by the NRA, the Buckeye Firearms Association, Life Side Ohio, and the Ohio Suicide Prevention Foundation. 

"While the idea of this bill originally started with helping veterans and law enforcement officers who struggle with mental health, the storage offered by FFLs and law enforcement agencies can be utilized by any gun owner," Sen. Koehler said. 

"Increasing opportunities for storage makes it easy for someone struggling to turn over their firearms without losing ownership and their Second Amendment rights," he continued. "It's a commonsense piece of legislation, which is why we saw both Democrats and Republicans throw their support behind this bill."

Prior to its passage, the House referred the bill to the House Finance Committee and allocated funds to provide security for the Lieutenant Governor, the Governor-elect, the Lieutenant Governor-elect, and certain eligible gubernatorial candidates and immediate family at the Governor’s direction.

The Ohio Senate sent Sub SB 273 to Governor DeWine for his signature.

 
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