Ohio Senate President Introduces SB 383 to Repeal Duty to Retreat

Senate President Larry Obhof, supported by a group of pro Second Amendment Senators, has introduced Senate Bill 383, legislation to repeal Ohio's law which requires that someone who is in imminent fear for their life or a loved one's life to seek a retreat before using lethal force in self-defense.

Buckeye Firearms Association has been a long-time supporter of eliminating the duty to retreat and has worked with Senator Terry Johnson on previous versions of the bill.

"The legal burden in current law forces crime victims to make a terrible choice: face the loss of life, or potentially face criminal charges for protecting themselves or a loved one," said BFA Executive Director Dean Rieck. "SB 383 is a clean and concisely written bill that removes this burden once and for all."

Repealing the duty to retreat does not allow people to use deadly force without provocation. A victim would still have to meet the criteria to establish legal self-defense.

"SB 383 would restore what should be a basic right in Ohio," said Rieck. "It's our hope that the General Assembly would move quickly to consider this bill as the 2020 session winds down."