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State Bill Targets Repeat Weapons Offenders

Attorney General Mike DeWine says there's a small population of Ohioans that are wreaking havoc on communities. These are criminals who have been in and out of prison for violent crimes at least twice and continue to carry firearms.

DeWine is supporting a bill in the Senate that would increase the possibility for more jail time if these repeat offenders are caught with a gun.

"There's always room-I believe-behind bars for those individuals who have demonstrated they're violent and whose presence in society continues to threaten the safety of our children and our families," DeWine said.

The Violent Career Criminal Act is a narrowed version of last session's bill. The convictions would now have to be within eight years of each other in order for the stiffer sentencing to apply.

Andy Chow at the Ohio Public Radio Statehouse News Bureau.

Tony Ganzer has reported from Phoenix to Cairo, and was the host of 90.3's "All Things Considered." He was previously a correspondent with the Swiss Broadcasting Corporation, covering issues like Swiss banks, Parliament, and refugees. He earned an M.A. in International Relations (University of Leicester); and a B.Sc. in Journalism (University of Idaho.) He speaks German, and a bit of French.