CLEVELAND, Dec. 29 (UPI) -- Ohio's Supreme Court has upheld a state law blocking cities from passing ordinances banning assault weapons and requiring registration of handguns.
In a 5-2 decision, the Ohio Supreme Court said the 2006 state law does not violate Ohio's home rule provision giving local authorities the right to enact measures to protect their citizens, The (Cleveland) Plain Dealer reported Wednesday.
Under home rule, any local ordinances that are passed must not conflict with Ohio's "general laws."
When passing the law in 2006, lawmakers argued it was necessary so gun owners didn't have to deal with a confusing variety of requirements as they traveled from one jurisdiction to another.
The city of Cleveland argued the law invalidated multiple ordinances regulating the possession, sale and registration of firearms within the city.
The high court's ruling overturns a decision by a lower court that the law was unconstitutional and violated Ohio's Home Rule provision, The Plain Dealer reported.
