COLUMBUS, Ohio—Gov. John Kasich on Wednesday vetoed legislation that would make Ohio the last state in the nation to shift the burden of proof in self-defense cases from the defendant to prosecutors.
The term-limited Republican governor’s decision to veto House Bill 228 is likely to be the first in a series of battles with the GOP-dominated legislature over legislation passed during his final days in office.
Under the bill, it would be up to prosecutors in use-of-force cases to prove that a defendant did not act in self-defense. Ohio is the only state that puts the burden of proof on defendants to show they used force in self-defense.
HB 228 would also loosen a number of Ohio gun-control rules – including allowing individuals to challenge local gun-control ordinances in court.
Kasich indicated earlier on Wednesday that he intended to veto the legislation
“Why would I sign a bill that gives more power to the gun advocates?” the governor said during…
