Ohio officials and candidates are responding after 12 people were injured in a weekend mass shooting in Toledo

More than a dozen people were killed near a popular festival in Toledo over the weekend. Ohio politicians and candidates prayed and supporters called for recent laws to prevent gun violence.

All 12 victims are in stable condition and their ages range from 14 to 61, according to the Toledo Police Department. No arrests had been made as of Monday afternoon.

According to US data, there have been 217 mass shootings this year MassShootingTracker.site.

The shooting occurred Saturday evening around 5:37 p.m. near the Old West End, a historic district of Toledo that was celebrating its 53rd annual festival.

“It’s just a shame when a few people, for whatever reason they can think of, decide to disrupt something that has been a beloved community event for many, many, many years,” Toledo Police Deputy Chief Joe Heffernan said during a Saturday evening news conference.

He added that there were at least two shooters who appeared to be shooting at each other.

“If there are certain people out there, certain groups of young people, who think it’s exciting, it’s not,” Heffernan said. “It’s a perfect example of how bullets that start flying can go anywhere and hit anyone.”

Toledo Police are asking the community to facilitate by sharing any videos they record that may lead to the suspects.

“I am deeply concerned about the situation in Toledo,” said Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine. “Summer festivals should be a safe space where families can spend time together without fear of violence. Fran and I pray for all those affected by the incident at the Old West End Festival.”

DeWine signed a bill in 2022 that would address this got rid of all training, background checks and permit requirements to carry a concealed weapon.

The 2021 law no longer requires people to retreat before they can reasonably injure or kill someone with a weapon in self-defense.

Ohio received the F award on Giffords Annual Scorecard on Gun Laws.

“(Ohio) has very, very weak gun laws,” said Danniyal Ahmed, senior federal policy lawyer Giffords Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence.

“We really hope that lawmakers will take this opportunity to perhaps reconsider their strategy in this policy area.”

Ohio State Senator Willis Blackshear Jr. D-Dayton called on his fellow lawmakers to take action on gun laws.

“This is not a Democrat or Republican issue, but a human issue,” he said in a statement on Monday.

“I am asking Governor DeWine to reconsider the commonsense gun laws he proposed after the 2019 mass shooting in Dayton and fight to pass them. Gun violence is an expense our cities and state can no longer afford.”

After the 2019 mass shooting in Dayton that left nine people dead, chants of “do something” drowned out Governor DeWine’s speech at a vigil for the victims.

Ohio politicians were quick to share their thoughts and prayers.

“Our community is hurting from the senseless gun violence in Toledo’s iconic Old West End community,” said Ohio Democratic Rep. Marcy Kaptur. Hood represents the Toledo area in Congress.

“Pray now for the victims and our community in the Old West End – one of the most joyful and celebrated events in our region will continue. It will take time and work to restore comfort, safety and trust.”

Derek Merrin, a Republican running for Hood’s congressional seat in the general election, thanked first responders.

“Please join me in praying for the victims, their families and all those affected by today’s shooting,” Merrin said. (*12*)

Ohio Republican Sen. Jon Husted said he was praying for those affected by the “senseless violence.”

Ohio Republican U.S. Sen. Bernie Moreno said he has contacted Toledo authorities.

“To the thugs behind this unlawful violence: we will find you, we will arrest you and we will prosecute you to the fullest extent of the law. This will not last.” Moreno said in a statement.

Ohio gun laws

Ohio Senate Republicans recently passed legislation that would make this possible penalize local governments for enacting gun safety laws.

Ohio Senate Bill 278 allows anyone to sue municipalities that have gun safety laws. It would also allow judges to impose fines on cities, award money to plaintiffs and require cities to pay any legal fees. Ohio Senator Terry Johnson, R-McDermott introduced the bill.

Ohio Senate Bill 392 would prohibit cities and municipalities from enacting their own gun restrictions, harmonizing gun and knife laws across Ohio. Ohio Sen. Al Cutrona, R-Canfield and Johnson introduced a bill that was considered once.

Ohio Democratic lawmakers have introduced various bills aimed at preventing gun violence, but have not held any hearings yet. These include:

• Ohio House Bill 45 would ban certain firearms transfers without a background check. Ohio Reps. Cecil Thomas, D-Cincinnati, and Rep. Rachel Baker, D-Cincinnati, introduced the bill.
• Ohio House Bill 351 Creates an Ohio Task Force on Gun Violence to study gun violence and programs to reduce gun violence. Ohio Reps. Darnell T. Brewer, D-Cleveland, and Karen Brownlee, D-Symmes Twp., introduced the bill.
• Ohio House Bill 901 I would punish adults who provide firearms to minors. Brewer introduced the bill.

Requiring background checks for all gun sales and enacting laws to prevent children from accessing firearms are two starting points when it comes to reducing gun violence, Ahmed said.

“When we see these events that are both truly horrific and attract the attention of the state and the entire country, it’s time for politicians to actually look at what has worked in other places and what the weaknesses are in their state’s laws and take action,” he said.

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