DaytonDailyNews.com

DAYTON — Local reaction to the Thursday, June 26, U. S. Supreme Court decision on handgun ownership ranged from enthusiastic support to concern on how the ruling limits a municipality's authority.

Dayton Mayor Rhine McLin said she was not surprised by the ruling. "But I am somewhat disappointed," she said. "I don't mind lawful citizens having guns, but it's the illegal guns that are the problem. Because of that, people feel a need to protect themselves."

McLin said she is a member of the coalition Mayors Against Illegal Guns.

"Our goals are to get the guns out of the hands of the criminals," she said.

Dayton City Commissioner Matt Joseph said that given the composition of the Supreme Court and a rightward lean, the ruling was not surprising.

"Republicans claim to be the party of small government pushing decisions down to the local level," Joseph said. "This was a constitutional issue. It just happens that it takes away power from local government."

The court ruling follows passage of Ohio laws that also pick away at municipal home rule provisions on issues such as carrying a concealed weapon and cable television franchise agreements.

Warren County resident Joe Eaton, southwest chair of the Buckeye Firearms Association, said he's thrilled the high court tackled an issue that has not been explored in decades.

"We are quite pleased," Eaton said. "The Supreme Court has decided the right to bear arms in one's home is an individual right."

Dayton Daily News Staff Writer Joanne Huist Smith contributed to this report.