Ohio Advances AI Personhood Ban, Domestic Violence Gun Bill

Ohio lawmakers are advancing two separate measures. Senate Bill 98, sponsored by Sens. Hearcel Craig and Casey Weinstein, would bar people convicted of a first-degree misdemeanor domestic violence offense from possessing firearms and elevate such possession to a third-degree felony, aligning state law with federal restrictions and providing a state-level safety net if federal protections are challenged. Supporters cite data that domestic violence victims are far more likely to be killed if an abuser has access to a gun and say the change would ensure consistent enforcement. Separately, Rep. Thad Claggett’s House Bill 469 would declare artificial intelligence systems are not legal persons—prohibiting AI from marrying humans, owning property, or acting as legal proxies—and make clear liability for harms caused by AI rests with people or companies. Sponsors describe HB469 as a narrow, preemptive fix to close potential legal loopholes rather than a response to sensational anecdotes.