Swearingen discusses vaping, gun background checks

SANDUSKY — State Rep. D.J. Swearingen, R-Huron, said Friday he's leaning against a ban on flavored vaping products sought by Gov. Mike DeWine, at least until he hears more facts justifying the action.Swearingen also discussed his bill to tighten up background checks to keep guns out of the hands of convicted criminals.He discussed the issues while appearing on a segment of "Between the Lines Live," the Register's public affairs program. The show, about 25 minutes long, is available for on-demand viewing at sanduskyregister.com/btl and YouTube channel.Swearingen took office Aug. 1 after he was appointed to replace former State Rep. Steve Arndt, R-Port Clinton, who retired. He represents Erie and Ottawa counties.Swearingen, speaking on the air and in an interview before the show, said he's gotten more calls on vaping than any other issue.Responding to reports of deaths and injuries from vaping and a rise in the practice by young people, DeWine announced he is asking the Ohio General Assembly to ban flavored vaping products."I'm leaning against a ban," Swearingen said.He said many constituents said they want to be allowed to continue vaping. They said that while it's probably not perfectly safe, it seems healthier than smoking tobacco and they might return to smoking if they can't vape. They also have told the lawmaker most deaths seem to be coming from black market products with THC, rather than substances legally sold in vape stores.Swearingen said he is wary about making a snap decision before all the facts are in."I think there still needs to be more research done on vaping," he said.State Sen. Theresa Gavarone, R-Bowling Green, said she's paying attention to the discussion about vaping."Gov. DeWine and I have the shared goal of preventing children from vaping," Gavarone said Friday. "How we go about achieving that goal is something I am sure will be thoroughly debated at the Statehouse over the following weeks and months."Swearingen went into detail about House Bill 354, his new measure to strengthen the law barring violent felons and drug traffickers from owning guns.That's existing law, but in many cases, information that would block gun sales isn't entered into the system as it should be. HB 254 would create a streamlined portal for looking up people who aren't allowed to own guns, and would allocate money to create the portal and help local agencies make sure information is properly entered.Swearingen said his bill also would bring state law in line with federal law banning people who have committed domestic violence from having guns.He said the Buckeye Firearms Association is researching his bill and currently is neutral but said he hopes the gun-rights group will back the measure."This is just making our current gun laws work," he said.State Rep. D.J. Swearingen discusses gun background checks and vaping during "Between the Lines" on Friday, Oct. 4, 2019.