State Rep. Michele Lepore-Hagan (D-Youngstown) called on Statehouse leaders to repeal Ohio's new no-duty to retreat law, which passed in December 2020.

Democratic-sponsored legislation, House Bill (HB) 38, would repeal the new shoot first law that takes effect Tuesday.

"We owe it to everyone in the state, even more so to those who are disproportionately killed by these policies, to repeal this legislation and work toward a society that won't promote gun violence as a solution for resolving a conflict," said Rep. Lepore-Hagan.

HB 38 would repeal the recently passed Shoot First law that permits the use of deadly force by individuals who believe their lives are endangered anywhere in the state.

The measure was added as a last-minute amendment to Senate Bill (SB) 175 in December 2o2o, and the governor signed the bill into law even after suggesting he would veto the extreme legislation.

During the discussion of the bill on the House floor in late December, multiple Democratic lawmakers argued that the new law will disproportionately affect Black Ohioans and other communities of color.

No hearings have been scheduled on HB 38 to date.