COLUMBUS, Ohio - Monday afternoon, Governor Mike DeWine signed Senate Bill 175, a 'Stand Your Ground' bill in the state of Ohio. 

Previously, state law required someone to first attempt to retreat before using deadly force in self-defense in any place that is not their vehicle or home.

Senate Bill 175 now removes the words “vehicle” and “home.”

Now, Ohio joins 25 other states with 'Stand Your Ground' laws meaning there is no duty to retreat for those who face imminent and deadly harm as long as they are in a place they are legally permitted to be.

However, leading up to the bill being signed there was a question if the bill would be vetoed after DeWine indicated last month that he might.

“While campaigning for governor, I expressed my support for removing the ambiguity in Ohio’s self-defense law, and Senate Bill 175 accomplishes this goal,” DeWine said."I am very disappointed, however, that the legislature did not include in this bill the essential provisions that I proposed to make it harder for dangerous criminals to illegally possess and use guns.

"Right now, the national and state background check systems are sometimes missing vital information. Things such as convictions, active protection orders, and open warrants that alert law enforcement if they’re dealing with a wanted or potentially dangerous individual," said DeWine. "Requiring the submission of this important information into the background check systems is a common-sense reform that I will continue to pursue."

DeWine said he will continue to seek strengthened penalties for criminals who illegally possess, purchase, and sell guns.