Associated Press
COLUMBUS, Ohio — Ohioans who repeatedly use guns to commit crimes would face tougher penalties under a proposal being heard by a House committee.
The bill aims to reduce violent gun crimes by imposing longer prison sentences for certain repeat offenders convicted of violent crimes involving a firearm.
The measure also would ban individuals defined as violent career criminals from having guns. The House Judiciary Committee scheduled a hearing Tuesday. The Senate passed the bill in April.
The nonpartisan Legislative Service Commission estimates the legislation could raise prison costs between $11 million and $50 million annually as longer prison terms are imposed.
A similar measure failed during the last legislative session as it ran into efforts to address Ohio’s growingprison population.