PETITION 

Subject: Mandating Maximum Sentencing and Restricting Plea Deals for Violent Firearm Offenses
To the Honorable Members of the Ohio Senate and House of Representatives:
WHEREAS, gun violence continues to threaten the safety, peace, and well-being of Ohio communities and families; and
WHEREAS, the use of a firearm during the commission of a violent crime represents a severe and deliberate escalation of danger to the public; and
WHEREAS, current plea-bargaining practices frequently allow individuals who commit violent acts with firearms to negotiate reduced charges, effectively removing mandatory jail time or significantly lowering sentences; and
WHEREAS, removing strict plea-bargaining options for violent gun crimes ensures accountability, establishes a powerful deterrent, and keeps violent offenders off Ohio streets;
THEREFORE, WE, THE UNDERSIGNED RESIDENTS OF THE STATE OF OHIO, respectfully request that the Ohio General Assembly introduce and pass legislation to amend the Ohio Revised Code to:
Ban or strictly limit plea deals that remove mandatory firearm specifications or reduce jail time for crimes involving violent gun behavior.
Raise minimum mandatory sentencing requirements for individuals convicted of using or brandishing a firearm during a violent offense.
Ensure prosecutors cannot negotiate away the core public safety penalties associated with gun violence.

My son deserved a life full of promise and potential, free from unimaginable tragedy. Instead, his life was unjustly cut short by an act of senseless gun violence. Our family will never be the same, and while I grapple with overwhelming grief, I am determined to ensure no other family endures the wrenching loss we have.

Gun violence is a pervasive issue in our society. According to the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, over 45,000 people died from gun-related injuries in 2020 alone across the United States. This is a staggering statistic, indicating a public health crisis that urgently requires our attention and action.

We owe it to our children, our communities, and ourselves to create a safer environment, devoid of the constant threat of gun violence. To achieve this, I urge lawmakers to enact stricter gun control laws that can prevent such tragedies from occurring in the future. Implementing background checks on all gun purchases, raising the legal purchase age for firearms, and regulating the sale of assault weapons can significantly reduce gun violence and save lives.

It’s evident that the existing laws are inadequate in ensuring public safety. Other countries with strict gun control measures, such as Japan and the United Kingdom, have markedly lower rates of gun-related deaths, demonstrating the effectiveness of these laws.

This fight is both personal and urgent. Every day that we delay reforms, we risk more lives being senselessly lost. Let’s come together to initiate change, so no one has to experience the unbearable pain of losing a loved one to gun violence.

Please sign this petition to demand our legislators take immediate action to reform gun laws for a safer future for all of us. Together, we can make a powerful difference