Ingram, Hicks-Hudson Testify on Legislation to Increase Penalty for Failure to Report a Lost or Stolen Firearms

Today, state Senators Catherine D. Ingram (D-Cincinnati) and Paula Hicks-Hudson (D-Toledo) gave sponsor testimony for Senate Bill 75, which would increase the penalty for failure to report a lost or stolen firearm from a fourth-degree to a first-degree misdemeanor. 

“This is common-sense legislation. We must ensure that individuals are reporting when these guns are lost or stolen,” said Ingram. “It doesn’t take all guns off the streets, but it puts us in the right direction for managing this issue.”

By increasing the penalty and changing the mental state from “knowingly” to “recklessly,” Senate Bill 75 aims to strengthen accountability for responsible gun ownership. 

“Guns that are stolen most often make their way into the hands of people who may be prohibited from having guns,” said Hicks-Hudson. “It is imperative that we consider measures to address this growing concern.”

According to the Gifford Law Center, approximately 380,000 guns are stolen annually, with about 200,000 of those gun thefts being reported as what’s taken from private gun owners. This legislation would reduce underground gun sales and illegal firearms, and ultimately, prevent guns from falling into the hands of unauthorized and potentially dangerous individuals.

Senate Bill 75 awaits further hearings in the Judiciary Committee.