COLUMBUS, Ohio (WTVN)--A contentious debate in the Ohio House of representatives ended with the passage of a "stand your ground" bill.
It deals with self-defense, and the use of deadly force allowed by law. The legislation as written would eliminate the "duty to retreat" for those in a confrontation before deadly force would be used.
It also shifts the burden of proof to the prosecution to prove that a shooting was in self-defense.
At one point, State Representative Stephanie Howse had her microphone cut off during debate by House Speaker Ryan Smith. Howse began to go over the demographics and racial makeup of the constituents of some of her colleagues, and Smith warned her to keep the discussion about the bill before the mic was muted.
The bill still needs approval from the Ohio Senate, and likely faces a veto by Governor John Kasich, who has called for stricter gun control legislation in the Buckeye State.