Gov. Kasich orders review of Ohio gun background check program

Ohio Gov. John Kasich signed an executive order Monday to get an update on weaknesses in the state’s gun background-check system.

Failure by local courts and law enforcement to send timely data to the state, which forwards it to National Instant Criminal Background Check System, could mean guns are being purchased by people who are ineligible to do so.

“There is just no excuse for this data not being sent and I can’t figure it out,” Kasich said.

Related: Parkland father urges Ohio leaders to pass gun restrictions

The order directs the Office of Criminal Justice Services to work with Bureau of Criminal Investigation and Ohio Supreme Court to update a 2015 study that found reporting gaps in the system. Kasich is also asking the state auditor to examine and publish a review of how well the local authorities are reporting the required information.

Related: Kasich proposes six changes to Ohio gun laws, says ‘it’s a different day’

Kasich continues to use the bully pulpit to focus attention on six gun control measures that he is backing:

* a ‘Red Flag’ law that allows family or police to get a court order to remove guns from people at risk of hurting themselves or others;

* keeping guns away from those convicted of domestic violence or subject to protection orders;

* closing reporting gaps in the NICS;

* strengthening the law against “straw man” gun purchases;

* banning ban bump stocks and armor-piercing ammunition. Bills to accomplish these goals are pending in the House and Senate.

Related: ‘Red flag’ gun control bill introduced in Ohio

“You know, these proposals are so reasonable that I don’t know what there is to object about, to tell you the truth,” Kasich said.

He stopped short of advising Ohio primary voters to vote against candidates who oppose his proposals, such as the red flag law.

“I feel very strongly about that but I’ve never kind of liked the idea of a single issue voter, to tell you the truth. I just think you have to look at a person’s entire record but the record ought to consider something like the red flag law,” he said.

He added: “I would tell you that I think anybody who doesn’t want to support common sense gun laws ought to be thought of when it comes to the ballot box, of course.”

Related: On gun issues, candidates for governor are far apart

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