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Kucinich Asks Cities to Put Pressure on Ohio Lawmakers to Ban Assault Rifles

photo
DAVID C. BARNETT
/
WCPN
Dennis Kucinich and running mate Tara Samples held a rally in Cleveland to promote change in Ohio's gun laws. About 100 people in attendance chanted, Enough is enough.

A Democratic candidate for Ohio governor Dennis Kucinich is calling for cities across Ohio to lobby state lawmakers to ban assault rifles. The former Ohio congressman says public opinion about high-powered weapons is at a tipping point.

Supporters from across Ohio crowded into a hotel meeting room in downtown Cleveland with signs and chanting their support for Kucinich's plan to lobby the state Legislature for a change in Ohio's gun laws. 

Kucinich is calling for city councils across the state to pass resolutions demanding a ban on assault-style weapons with high-capacity magazines.

“Without regard to who's in the Legislature, without regard as to who controls the Legislature, banning assault weapons will be a major issue in the 2018 election, whether it's a Democrat or a Republican,” Kucinich said.

But, Doug Deekan of the gun rights group said Kucinich is playing his own political game.

“Kucinich thinks this is an issue that plays well to him in a Democratic primary,” Deekan said. And, frankly, he's trying to print campaign literature with the blood of innocent victims. I find it repulsive.”

Kucinich followed the rally with a public meeting to plan next steps in the assault weapons campaign.