COLUMBUS, Ohio (WTVN)--Governor Mike DeWine made a surprise move on Monday, signing Senate Bill 175 into law, also known as the "stand your ground" bill.
The bill eliminates the duty to retreat when citizens are faced with a dangerous situation, and use lethal force. In a statement released after he signed it, DeWine expressed disappointment that the legislature did not include provisions for dangerous criminals to illegally possess and use guns.
DeWine pushed for those measures following the mass shooting in Dayton in August 2019.
Gun rights groups applauded the move, while gun control advocates had urged DeWine to veto the legislation.
Ohio House Minority Leader Emilia Strong Sykes called it a "shoot first" bill, saying it will disproportionately harm black people.
A similar "stand your ground" law in the state of Florida was put in the spotlight, following the shooting death of Trayvon Martin in 2012.