Matt Dolan on Gun Control

Keep firearm dealers open during pandemic-related shutdowns

• Dolan voted to keep firearm dealers open during pandemic-related shutdowns.
• Dolan co-sponsored legislation that expands and updates concealed carry license rules for veterans.
• Dolan voted to protect Second Amendment rights during a state of emergency and prohibit state and local governments from confiscating firearms.
• Dolan voted to make Ohio a permitless carry state--allowing Ohioans the fundamental right to keep and bear arms.

Liberals will stop at nothing to grab our guns

• Dolan co-sponsored the Castle Doctrine giving Ohioans the right to self-defense in their own home.
• Dolan regularly voted for pro-Second Amendment bills, including expanding an individual's right to bear arms and state preemption of local firearm regulations.
• Dolan helped establish the apprentice hunting license.
• Dolan voted to keep firearm dealers open during pandemic-related shutdowns.
• Dolan co-sponsored legislation that expands and updates concealed carry license rules for veterans.

Supports stand your ground, state preemption of local laws

In support of legislation (Buckeye Firearms Association): The law contains many powerful improvements for Ohio's 4 million gun owners:

• Shifts the burden of proof back to the prosecutor so that you are innocent until proven guilty.
• Strengthens "preemption" provisions in Ohio law that prevent local governments from passing their own gun laws.

Veto Message: Restricting the rights of local governments to enact any policies concerning firearms further erodes Ohio's long-established policies that guarantee local governments substantial sovereignty under the legal principle known as "home rule."

Legislative Summary: Vetoed by Governor John Kasich on Dec/20/18; House overrides veto 67-22-0 on Dec/27/18; Senate overrides veto 21-11-1 on Dec/27/18; State Sen. Matt Dolan voted YES.

Enact "Castle Doctrine" presuming self-defense for gun use

Buckeye Firearms Association summary June 10, 2008: Said the NRA's chief lobbyist, "When you're confronted by a criminal, you don't have the luxury of time. Under the 'Castle Doctrine' provision, if someone breaks into your occupied home or temporary habitation, or your occupied car, you now have an initial presumption that you may act in self defense and you will not be second-guessed by the State.".

Everytown.org summary 2.3.2020: 26 states have passed Stand Your Ground Laws that massively expand traditional self-defense laws. And no matter what you call them, they all have the same effect on the people of the states that pass them: more people will be killed and their killers will walk free.

Legislative Outcome: Passed House 73-23-3 on May/28/08; State Rep. Matt Dolan voted YES; passed Senate 25-7-1 on May/29/08; Signed by Governor Ted Strickland on Jun/10/08.