(COLUMBUS, OHIO, 12/5/18) — On Tuesday, December 4, CAIR-Columbus Public Affairs Coordinator Usjid Hameed testified before the Ohio Senate Government Oversight and Reform Committee against Substitute House Bill 228 – “Regards self-defense and handling firearms,” a bill with “Stand-Your-Ground” provisions.
The bill, sponsored by Reps. Johnson and LaTourette, amends numerous portions of Ohio state law, particularly as they pertain to firearms, concealed carry requirements, and self-defense.
CAIR-Columbus emphasized, citing data from Florida — a state with its own “Stand-Your-Ground” law — that the bill’s expansion of the circumstances under which a person has no duty to retreat before using force could lead to an increase in “justified” gun homicides involving Ohio’s Muslim community.
This bill will inevitably impact Ohio’s Muslim community because it is comprised mostly of people of color, and people of color have been disproportionately impacted in states where similar bills have been enacted into law.
Watch a portion of the testimony here.
CAIR-Ohio has been a vocal opponent of the legislation and advocated against it during its “2nd Annual Muslim Day at the State Capitol” event in September 2018 where CAIR-Ohio leaders and supporters met with nearly 50 legislative offices.
“Ohio’s legislators must not allow this bill to become law,” Hameed said following the testimony. “We have seen this legislation’s detrimental consequences in Florida. Voters of all backgrounds should pressure their state senators to do the right thing and vote against this bill.”
As a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, CAIR-Ohio does not endorse any particular candidate or political party for any office.
CAIR is America’s largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization.
The CAIR-Ohio affiliate has three chapters in Ohio – Columbus, Cleveland and Cincinnati. Its mission is to enhance the understanding of Islam, encourage dialogue, protect civil liberties, empower American Muslims, and build coalitions that promote justice and mutual understanding.
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CONTACT: CAIR-Columbus Public Affairs Coordinator Usjid Hameed, uhameed@cair.com, 614-401-2920