Ohio Rep. Brewer Introduces 'Amya's Law' and Multiple Gun Violence Prevention Bills Targeting Unsafe Storage

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Ohio's gun owners just got hit with another round of feel-good legislation disguised as "common sense" safety measures. On May 7, 2026, State Rep. Darnell T. Brewer (D-Cleveland) dropped 'Amya's Law'—named after the heartbreaking tragedy of 11-year-old Amya Frazier, who was killed in an accidental shooting. This bill would slap a first-degree misdemeanor on parents or guardians if a firearm is stored in a way that's "accessible" to kids. That's right: one mistake, and you're facing criminal charges that could land you in jail or with a permanent record.

Ohio State Rep. Darnell T. Brewer announcing Amyas Law and gun control bills at press conference
Ohio State Rep. Darnell T. Brewer announcing Amyas Law and gun control bills at press conference (via ohiohouse.gov)

But Brewer didn't stop there. He's bundling this with a laundry list of other bills aimed at "curbing gun violence": measures for cracking down on gun trafficking, mandatory reporting of lost or stolen firearms, and even more licensing requirements for firearms dealers. On the surface, it sounds noble—who wants kids getting hurt or guns falling into criminal hands? But dig deeper, and this is just another Trojan horse for eroding Second Amendment rights.

Why 'Amya's Law' Misses the Mark

Tragedies like Amya's are gut-wrenching, no doubt. Every responsible gun owner mourns those losses and works tirelessly to prevent them. But criminalizing "unsafe storage"? That's a vague term ripe for abuse. What's "accessible"? A nightstand safe that's too easy to crack? A rifle in a locked closet that a sneaky kid figures out? Lawmakers love these fuzzy definitions because they let prosecutors play gotcha with everyday folks.

We've seen this playbook before. States with strict safe storage laws—like Massachusetts and California—haven't seen drops in accidental shootings. In fact, data from the CDC shows accidental firearm deaths are already at historic lows, thanks to education, not mandates. These laws often backfire: in a home invasion or fire, a securely locked gun is useless for self-defense. Remember the horror stories from Connecticut after Sandy Hook, where families couldn't access their firearms fast enough during emergencies?

  • First-degree misdemeanor: For comparison, that's on par with some theft or drug offenses. Punish negligence? Sure. But turning a split-second parental oversight into a felony-lite destroys lives without saving any.
  • Ignoring root causes: Single-parent homes, lack of training, mental health crises—these drive accidents far more than "storage." Brewer's bills sidestep personal responsibility for government edicts.

The Other Bills: More Red Tape, Same Old Problems

Gun trafficking? Criminals gonna criminal—laws targeting illegal flows already exist; enforce them. Lost/stolen reporting? Burdensome for honest owners who report thefts anyway, while felons laugh it off. Dealer licensing? Ohio's FFLs are already the most regulated businesses on the planet. This just drives up costs, closes shops, and funnels buyers to unregulated gray markets.

Family teaching child firearm safety with locked guns and training tools

Pro-2A Ohioans know the real solutions: expand training programs, promote safe storage incentives (like tax credits for safes), and teach kids gun safety early—like hunter education classes. Groups like the NRA and local ranges already do this for free.

What You Can Do Right Now

Buckle up, Buckeyes—this is coming to a committee near you. Contact your state reps and senators here and tell them: Honor Amya by promoting responsibility, not punishing rights. Join the Ohio Gun Owners Association or Buckeye Firearms Association to fight back. Donate to legal funds challenging these overreaches.

Politicians love tragedy porn to push agendas, but we won't let emotion trump the Constitution. Stand strong—our rights depend on it.

Stay vigilant, stay armed, stay free.

Join the Fight - Second Amendment Foundation

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