Buckeye Reporter

Gubernatorial candidate Jim Renacci is criticizing Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine's anti-2nd Amendment record.

In 2006, when he served in the U.S. Senate, DeWine made Human Events Online's list of the Top 10 Anti-Gun Senators, Buckeye Firearms reported. Human Events wrote, "Mike DeWine (R.-Ohio) Consistently the only Republican to speak in favor of anti-2nd Amendment legislation on the Senate floor." The Buckeye Firearms Association added that DeWine was "in the company of Democrats and some of the most anti-American, anti-self-defense and anti-Second Amendment characters that currently call the United States Senate their home."

DeWine has repeatedly called for gun control legislation, including the expansion of background checks. Ohio Republicans have criticized the governor for his anti-Second Amendment stance. Renacci has said that if he is elected as governor, he will sign Constitutional Carry into law, never propose Red Flag legislation, oppose Universal Background Check legislation, reduce restrictions placed on sportsmen and be a champion of the Second Amendment.

"I have an A rating from the NRA and am a Life Member of the organization," Renacci said. "I am a supporter of Ohioans for Concealed Carry and Ohio Gun Owners. I am an active CCW Holder and gun owner. I have always been a friend to our sportsman community and sport shooters."

DeWine received an "F" grade from the NRA when he served in the Senate, PolitiFact reported.

Renacci is a businessman and former U.S. representative for the 16th congressional district running against DeWine, a fellow Republican, in the 2022 GOP gubernatorial primary on May 3.

DeWine, 74, was Kasich's choice to replace him as Ohio governor in 2019, according to West Hamilton News. He is one of the longest-serving public officials in state history, having been in elected office for 41 years. That includes stints in the Ohio State Senate, U.S. House of Representatives, U.S. Senate, and Ohio attorney general and lieutenant governor.