Cincinnati Enquirer: Ohio City Spending Thousands in Taxpayer Dollars to Defend Gun Ordinance Against Everytown Law Challenge

Ohio – On Wednesday, the Cincinnati Enquirer reported that the city of Lebanon, Ohio has spent tens of thousands of dollars defending an ordinance allowing concealed carry license holders to bring firearms into the city building, which contains the municipal court, amid a legal challenge brought by three residents represented by Everytown Law. Financial records obtained by the Enquirer indicate that the city has paid Finney Law Firm over $25,000 in legal fees thus far, the paper reported. 

The ordinance, approved by the city council in March 2020, purports to allow the concealed carry of firearms into city council meetings — in spite of state law that prohibits firearms in buildings that contain a courtroom.  Lebanon city council meetings are held in the Lebanon municipal courtroom. The ordinance effectively ended the city’s longstanding prohibition on carrying firearms in the municipal building.

Everytown Law, the litigation arm of Everytown for Gun Safety Support Fund, filed suit in March on behalf of three Lebanon residents, asking the court for a declaration that the ordinance conflicts with state law and an injunction restraining its enforcement.

The Lebanon-based law firm Gray & Duning is local counsel in the suit.

Please don’t hesitate to reach out for more information.