Ohio
Twisted logic means an Ohio domestic abuser can get his gun back | Opinion
An Ohio common pleas court ruled that a man with two misdemeanors and one felony domestic violence conviction couldn’t have his right to bear arms restored. the Supreme Court disagreed.
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Ray Marcano is a Columbus Dispatch contributing columnist.
A bill working its way through the Ohio House would create a repeat domestic violence offender registry that’s patterned after Tennessee’s recently passed law.
Now, the bill’s proponents should go further and include a measure that prohibits anyone convicted of domestic violence from owning a firearm or getting those rights restored.
This issue surfaced after the Allen County Court of Common Pleas ruled that, under federal law, a man convicted of two misdemeanors and one felony count of domestic violence couldn’t have his right to bear arms restored.
An appeals court and now the Supreme Court disagreed, and the case is heading back to Allen County, which will decide whether the man, Patrick Heffley, can get his guns back.
The laws that govern how a citizen can lose the right to possess firearms and the appeals process for regaining that right are complicated.
They shouldn’t be, at least not in Ohio.
Just say no.
Flaw in our law must be fixed
Under federal law, anyone convicted of a domestic violence misdemeanor charge can’t possess a firearm. But Ohio law doesn’t automatically take away guns in these cases, so courts decide whether to restore rights.
That shouldn’t be.
Currently, judges determine whether an offender has been reformed and is likely to continue leading a law-abiding life. Maybe the person has turned over a new leaf and has become a respected, productive community member. That would be great.
Just say no.
Those are three easy words, especially since 157 people died as a result of domestic violence in the 12 months ending June 2025, the most in a decade, according to the Ohio Domestic Violence Network.
More than eight in 10 deaths involved a firearm, showing there’s no way someone convicted of domestic violence should own a gun, even if the offense happened decades ago.
So, this gives the bill’s sponsors an opportunity to fix a flaw in the law.
I know the arguments that would justify inaction. There’s no guarantee that mirroring federal law will stop deaths here. We’re a society of second chances and should embrace those who have repented.
That’s true, but society also has laws with consequences for disobeying them. One should be straightforward.
If you beat up your partner in an act of violence, you lose the ability to own a weapon that can be used to perpetrate more violence.
Ohio’s proposed law, House Bill 846, by Rep. Phil Plummer, R-Butler Twp., and Rep. Cecil Thomas, D-Cincinnati, would mandate repeat offenders register for anywhere for two to 10 years with their name, photo, date of birth and location.
Plummer and Thomas should add to their bill and ban these offenders from having firearms.
That should be.
Ray Marcano is a Columbus Dispatch contributing columnist. The longtime journalist is the former national president of the Society of Professional Journalists, a two-time Pulitzer juror, and a Fulbright fellow.
ROSSFORD, Ohio — Smoke from Canadian wildfires forced the cancellation of three community events Thursday, including a multi-day festival, a weekly farmers market and a summer concert series finale.
Organizers of the Rossford Balloon & Fireworks Fest, the Perrysburg Farmers Market and the Whitehouse Summer Concert Series each cited hazardous air quality conditions as the reason for their decisions.
Rossford Balloon & Fireworks Fest canceled
Rossford city officials and the Rossford Convention & Visitors Bureau Board jointly decided Thursday to cancel the Rossford Balloon & Fireworks Fest, which was scheduled to run July 17-19.
The Visitors Bureau’s director Beth Genson said in a statement: “The decision to cancel the 2026 Rossford Balloon & Fireworks Fest was made jointly by City officials and the Rossford Convention & Visitors Bureau Board after careful consideration of the hazardous air quality conditions caused by smoke from the Canadian wildfires. The health and safety of our attendees, volunteers, vendors, performers and staff was our highest priority. We recognize how disappointing this is for our community and visitors, but we believe cancelling the event was the responsible decision under these circumstances.”
Perrysburg farmers market, Whitehouse concert also called off
The Perrysburg Chamber of Commerce canceled Thursday’s farmers market in historic downtown Perrysburg. The chamber’s director of tourism Sally Moore said: “The health and safety of our vendors, customers, volunteers, and staff is our top priority. Based on the current hazardous air quality conditions and the guidance we received, we believe cancellation is the safest course of action.”
In Whitehouse, the final performance of the summer concert series at Whitehouse Village Park was also canceled Thursday out of concern for the safety of concertgoers. A spokesman for the series said organizers are hoping to reschedule the final performance in August or September.
Health experts advise staying indoors
Dr. David Geisinger, a pediatric emergency medicine physician, said residents should limit time outdoors while smoke remains in the area.
“We all need to be extra careful, but the children especially, younger kids, anybody with asthma, chronic lung disease, COPD, bronchitis, they would need to be especially careful,” Geisinger said.
Geisinger added that with current air quality index levels, indoor activities are the safer option.
“With this level of air quality index and the smoke, it’s better to do activities that are inside,” he said.
Smoke from the Canadian wildfires was expected to continue affecting air quality into Friday.
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WARREN, Ohio (WKBN) – A Warren man indicted in June on charges he had inappropriate conduct with a teenager pleaded guilty Thursday in Trumbull County Common Pleas Court.
Daniel Procopio, 29, pleaded guilty to one third-degree felony count of attempted illegal use of a minor in nudity-oriented material or performance.
Howland police arrested Procopio following a report filed by the parent of a teenager who reported Procopio had inappropriate contact with the teen. The investigation by Howland police showed Procopio in February 2026 had asked a 16-year-old female to send nude photos of herself to him, according to Assistant Prosecutor Gabriel Wildman.
The crimes are alleged to have taken place in February and March.
Procopio will be sentenced at a later date.
The Ohio Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big.
Here’s a look at July 15, 2026, results for each game:
Powerball
Powerball drawings are held Monday, Wednesday and Saturday at 10:59 p.m.
02-07-18-29-38, Powerball: 16, Power Play: 2
Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.
Pick 3
Drawings are held daily, seven days a week, at 12:29 p.m. and 7:29 p.m., except Saturday evening.
Midday: 1-1-8
Evening: 0-9-3
Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.
Pick 4
Drawings are held daily, seven days a week, at 12:29 p.m. and 7:29 p.m., except Saturday evening.
Midday: 7-8-8-3
Evening: 8-6-3-8
Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.
Pick 5
Drawings are held daily, seven days a week, at 12:29 p.m. and 7:29 p.m., except Saturday evening.
Midday: 6-3-8-0-7
Evening: 5-5-0-3-2
Check Pick 5 payouts and previous drawings here.
Rolling Cash 5
Drawings are held daily, seven days a week, at approximately 7:05 p.m.
04-17-19-26-36
Check Rolling Cash 5 payouts and previous drawings here.
Classic Lotto
Drawings are held Monday, Wednesday and Saturday, at approximately 7:05 p.m.
04-18-28-41-42-45, Kicker: 2-5-8-9-8-0
Check Classic Lotto payouts and previous drawings here.
Millionaire for Life
Drawings are held daily, seven days a week, at approximately 11:15 p.m.
01-05-18-23-33, Bonus: 05
Check Millionaire for Life payouts and previous drawings here.
Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results
This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by an Enquirer digital news director. You can send feedback using this form.
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