Duty to Retreat Bill Passes - Goes to Governor DeWine's Desk

On Dec. 18, 2020, the Ohio Senate voted 18-11 to accept the House amendment of Senate Bill 175 to eliminate the "duty to retreat" in self defense situations. Having passed the House and Senate, the amended bill now goes to Governor DeWine's desk.

SEE BELOW TO TAKE ACTION AND CONTACT THE GOVERNOR

Current law allows people to defend themselves in their own homes, commonly called "Castle Doctrine." But out in public, a person must first seek avenues of escape before they are legally allowed to use lethal force to protect themselves or another person. This duty to retreat puts victims of violent crime in harm's way, and even in legal jeopardy.

After receiving thousands of emails and calls from Second Amendment advocates, including members of Buckeye Firearms Association and the NRA, the Ohio House yesterday amended SB 175 to repeal Ohio's Duty to Retreat law.

The amended version of SB 175 also provides civil immunity to nonprofit corporations, such as churches and charities, and persons associated with them for certain injuries, deaths, or losses resulting from the carrying of handguns. This fixes an oversight in the law which currently provides civil immunity to businesses and other entities.

Opponents of this bill continue to lie about what this bill will do, claiming that this bill is racist and will authorize Ohioans to shoot anyone on sight. This is patently absurd and nothing but a scare tactic. They are flooding the Governor's office with calls and emails to pressure him to veto the bill.

It is up to law-abiding Ohio citizens like YOU to contact the Governor and tell him to ignore the lies and sign this bill into law.

CLICK HERE to go to the Governor's contact page online.

Follow the directions below to send him a message:

1. Select "general" for the message issue.

2. Fill in your contact information.

3. Cut and paste this text into the "subject" line:

Sign SB 175 Civil Immunity and Duty to Retreat Bill

4. Cut and paste this text into the "message" box, or write your own message. Please be polite but firm.

The House and Senate have passed SB 175 and I'm urging you to sign this important bill into law.

Current law allows law-abiding people to defend themselves in their own homes. But out in public, a so-called "duty to retreat" puts victims of violent crime in harm's way by forcing them to seek a means of escape before defending themselves or their loved ones.

The amended version of SB 175 also provides civil immunity to nonprofit corporations, such as churches and charities, and persons associated with them for certain injuries, deaths, or losses resulting from the carrying of handguns. This fixes an oversight in the law which currently provides civil immunity to businesses and other entities.

This bill changes NOTHING in determining when use of lethal force is legally justified. It merely removes the perilous and unfair "duty to retreat" that puts the safety of violent criminals above the lives of innocent victims.

Please sign SB 175 into law immediately for the safety and protection of all law-abiding Ohio citizens.

5. When you're done, click "submit."

Please share this call to action with your family and friends and post a link to this article on your social media pages. The Governor has 10 days to sign this bill. Time is short and the current legislative session ends in less than two weeks.