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Rep. Alicia Reece Introduces “John Crawford’s Law,” Asks for
Meeting with Leading Toy Gun Manufacturers
Ohio State Rep. Alicia Reece (D-Cincinnati) this week sent a
letter to popular toy gun manufacturers asking to meet
regarding “John Crawford’s Law,” the lawmaker’s bill to
prevent fatal tragedies involving toy guns by
differentiating toy guns from real firearms.
“The tragic shootings of John Crawford III and Tamir Rice
have strained relationships between local communities and
the justice system,” said Rep. Reece. “John Crawford’s Law
is a small step our state can take right now to help prevent
deadly encounters involving kids playing with toy guns.”
Rep. Reece introduced House Bill 681—“John Crawford’s Law”--
legislation that would require all BB guns, air rifles and
airsoft guns in Ohio be brightly colored or have prominent
florescent strips.
“I fully support Ms. Reece in her efforts to pass
legislation that would make imitation and actual firearms
more easily distinguishable,” said John Crawford, Sr. “This
legislation is necessary to make sure that a tragedy like
the one that took my son John Crawford III’s life never
happens again.”
The bill has 13 co-sponsors and was introduced with the help
and support of the Crawford family.
A copy of Rep. Reece?s letter is below:
December 8, 2014
Mr. Phil Dolci
Crosman Corporation
7629 Routes 5 & 20
Bloomfield, NY 14469
Mr. Victor Tresseras
Gamo Outdoor USA
3911 SW 47th Ave. Suite 914
Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33314
Dr. Robert Beeman
Beeman Precision Airguns
10652 Bloomfield Ave
Santa Fe Springs, CA 90670
Daisy Outdoor Products
P.O. Box 220
Rogers, Arkansas
72757-0220
Dear Sirs:
I write to request a meeting with you, fellow lawmakers and
community leaders to discuss commonsense solutions that will
prevent fatal tragedies involving toy guns. In the past four
months in Ohio, two young males – John Crawford, Jr. and
Tamir Rice – were shot and killed by law enforcement
officers after the replica guns in their possession were
mistaken for actual guns. It was only after the tragedy
occurred that officials realized the boys posed no threat.
I have introduced Ohio House Bill 681—“John Crawford’s
Law”-- to require that all BB guns, air rifles and airsoft
guns sold in Ohio be brightly colored or have prominent
florescent strips. This bill models that of Senate Bill 199
in California, which became law after the fatal shooting of
two teenagers by law enforcement officers who also confused
toy guns for real firearms.
These tragic misunderstandings have strained relationships
between local communities and the justice system. I hope you
will agree that it seems appropriate that we develop a
strategy to keep our kids and law enforcement officers safe
by preventing confusion between perceived and actual threats
with firearms.
With your input, I believe we can stop any future tragedies
involving kids playing with toy guns and law enforcement
officials. Your cooperation and concerns are important to
resolving this problem, and I am confident that we can find
common ground while making great strides toward developing a
solution.
I appreciate your consideration of this request.
Sincerely,
Alicia Reece
State Representative, Ohio House District 33
President, Ohio Legislative Black Caucus
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