The Ohio Supreme Court is set to hear arguments on whether Columbus can enforce its gun safety regulations while legal challenges to the ordinance are still pending. The city’s law, which mandates firearm owners to secure their guns when not in use, has been temporarily blocked by a lower court.
Preparedness and Constitutional Rights
For some gun owners, including State Rep. Josh Williams (R-Sylvania), unrestricted access to firearms is essential for self-defense. Recalling an incident where he shot a pit bull that he said was attacking him, Williams explained, “It had rabies and was attacking me—a pit bull—and I shot and killed that dog. It was like a few inches away from me when I fired my weapon.”
Williams described how the dog had initially tried to break through the screen on his front door before retreating. As he stepped outside to his car, the same dog allegedly returned aggressively, prompting him to fire three shots. He also recounted a separate incident in which he fired a warning shot at an individual who had pulled a knife on him outside a Toledo tavern. The police reports for both incidents have been requested.
Given his public profile, Williams emphasized the importance of personal security, especially after receiving death threats and suspicious letters. “There are about four firearms spread out across my house and residence; none of them are locked away,” he said. “My wife and I are the only ones that live there, so we’re always prepared no matter what part of the house that we’re in if we need to defend ourselves.”
Columbus’ ordinance seeks to prevent accidental shootings, particularly among children, by requiring firearm owners to secure their weapons. Additionally, the city has prohibited magazines holding 30 or more rounds of ammunition. However, the law remains blocked from enforcement.
The Ohio Fifth District Court of Appeals upheld a lower court’s ruling that granted a preliminary injunction against the ordinance. The conservative think tank The Buckeye Institute, representing six anonymous gun owners, argues that the law is unconstitutional and that the injunction prevents an illegal regulation from taking effect.
City Attorney Zach Klein has appealed to the Ohio Supreme Court, requesting that the injunction be lifted while the case proceeds. The Ohio Attorney General’s Office supports Columbus’ right to appeal, arguing that governments should be able to challenge injunctions that cause “irreparable harm.” This argument has been used in other high-profile cases, including the legal battles over the state’s six-week abortion ban.
What about safety?
Gun violence survivor Erick Bellomy, Ohio lead for Brady United Against Gun Violence, believes the state should allow cities to implement their own gun safety laws. “The state should step away and allow the city to implement their own laws that protect its citizens,” he said. Bellomy argues that safe storage laws save lives and do not hinder self-defense, as modern storage options provide quick access to firearms. “Nobody’s trying to take your gun rights away,” he added. “We’re just trying to make it safer for kids and people at risk.”
State data indicates that at least 16 Ohioans died in 2024 due to accidental firearm discharges. Reports from Everytown for Gun Safety suggest that many more suffered injuries. Advocates argue that requiring safe storage could help curb these incidents and reduce teenage gun violence.
Other Ohio cities, including Cleveland, are closely watching the Columbus case before considering similar legislation. Williams, while opposing government mandates on firearm storage, acknowledged that parents should be held accountable if their child accesses an unsecured weapon and causes harm. He also supports incentivizing gun safety education and removing taxes on safe storage devices. “When it comes to safe storage, we can have a conversation,” he said. “But I feel that’s the individual responsibility that the government should not get in the way of.”
The Ohio Supreme Court is expected to deliberate for weeks or months before issuing a decision.