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Columbus Council Approves Gun Regulations, Tax Breaks For Two Warehouse Projects

Columbus City Council last night approved a series of new gun restrictions, including bans on imitation firearms and bump stocks. 

The measures also allow the city to shut down businesses that attract violence, and allow for the seizure of weapons from people with domestic violence convictions. Council president Shannon Hardin: 

City Attorney Zach Klein has said the 11 changes to local laws can be made despite a state law that limits the authority of local governments to regulate guns. Klein's office has threatened to sue the state for violations of home-rule powers if an Ohio House bill further limiting cities from passing gun regulations becomes law. Columbus Solicitor General Lara Baker-Morrish says the changes are constitutional.

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Some gun rights groups have threatened to sue the city over the regulations.  Cincinnati city council last week banned bump stocks and other devices. The Columbus council also approved two 10-year, 75 percent property tax abatements for commercial projects. California-based Hackman Capital Partners plans to build a warehouse on the west side, creating five new jobs. That deal was criticized by community activist Joe Motil, who says the firm has made large profits dealing with Fortune 500 companies.

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Columbus Development director Steve Schoeny says the job numbers are intentionally low.

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The other tax break is for Indiana-based Advanced Turf Solutions, which plans to build a distribution center on the south side, creating six new jobs.

Jim has been with WCBE since 1996. Before that he worked as a reporter at another Columbus radio station, and for three newspapers in Southwest Florida.
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