Ohio Democratic state lawmakers are asking Gov. Mike DeWine to ban police departments from using tear gas.

Rep. Michele Lepore-Hagan, D-Youngstown, and fellow Democratic lawmakers sent a letter to DeWine, urging him to ban the use of tear gas by all county, municipal and township police departments indefinitely. 

According to a release from Lepore-Hagan, the demand follows the "indiscriminate" use of tear gas, pepper spray and mace by law enforcement on Ohioans peacefully protesting police brutality in dozens of towns and cities this past week.

"The people are raising their voices and being heard. Peaceful protest is a constitutionally protected right in this country because it does make us take notice, stop and listen. These protests are leading to important policy change. Tear gas should never be used against human beings," said Lepore-Hagan.

The lawmakers write that the use of tear gas and other chemical agents should be banned because "tear gas may have dangerous health effects on Ohioans, it violates civil and human rights and exacerbates the spread of COVID-19."

House Democrats also revealed their preliminary legislative plan to combat police brutality, which includes a proposed bill to prohibit the use of tear gas by law enforcement.