Recalling the blood on the streets of Dayton — and the shouts of "do something!" at a vigil for the nine dead — Gov. Mike DeWine rolled out a package Tuesday described as steps to help protect Ohioans from gun violence.

"If we do these things, it will matter. If we do these things, it will make us safer," the first-year governor said at a Statehouse news conference.

The Republican advanced a proposal he has talked about for months, asking lawmakers to pass a so-called red-flag law that would allow the court-ordered seizure of guns from those found dangerous to themselves or others.

And DeWine called for background checks on all gun purchases except between family members to close the "gun show loophole" that essentially allows sales with no checks.

Flanked by Lt. Gov. Jon Husted and first lady Fran DeWine, the governor said those who called out Sunday for him to do something "were absolutely right. We must do something. And that is exactly what we are going to do."

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"Our state is heartbroken. The fabric of our society is torn," said DeWine, who at one point choked up while talking about the victims in Dayton.

But the first-year Republican, in response to a question, said he still favors a measure that would allow Ohioans to carry concealed weapons without the background check, firearms training and permit required under current law. DeWine also has supported a Stand Your Ground Law, ending the duty of citizens to retreat from a gun threat if possible. He just wants his plan enacted first.

“It’s deeply troubling to hear DeWine indicate he continues to support the permit-less carry law Republicans are currently pushing that would allow almost anyone to have a concealed firearm without a permit, without a background check and without training," said Ohio Democratic Chairman David Pepper. "This radical proposal would directly undermine efforts to make Ohioans safer from gun violence."

At the top of DeWine's to-do list is a "red-flag" law — which DeWine called "safety protection orders" — to remove guns, via court order, from a person found to be a "danger to themselves or to others." Husted said the measure differs from typical red-flag laws because it guarantees due process and was developed in consultation with gun-rights groups, members of which attended Tuesday's event.

If the package was presented to the General Assembly without input from gun-rights advocates, "It would go nowhere," DeWine said.

After talking with GOP legislative leaders, Husted said he believes DeWine's proposals will be passed.

>>We want to hear from you: What do you think of DeWine's proposals?

Jim Irvine, president of the Buckeye Firearms Association, said DeWine made a "lot of good points," noting his red-flag proposal contains more due process rights than the measure sought by former Republican Gov. John Kasich, who he dismissed as a "demagogue out to get headlines." But Irvine declined to fully endorse DeWine's proposal until he sees details.

Dayton Mayor Nan Whaley, a Democrat, took to Twitter for her reaction:

"Governor DeWine’s proposal is an important step in the right direction. Last year, the Ohio legislature was debating extreme proposals about arming preschool teachers. Today, we’re finally talking about common-sense ideas like universal background checks. I appreciate Governor DeWine listening to the people of Dayton, and following his prayers for our community with action. I hope the legislature will follow his example."

DeWine confirmed that President Donald Trump is visiting Dayton on Wednesday, although no public appearance is expected.

Whaley told reporters she will "absolutely" tell Trump on Wednesday that she does not think he has aided the battle against gun violence.



"His comments (Monday) weren't very helpful to the issue around guns," she said.

>>Read more: Before Dayton visit, Trump says his rhetoric had nothing to do with mass shootings

Trump spent part of Tuesday preparing for his trips to Dayton and El Paso, Texas, spokesman Hogan Gidley said. A gunman in El Paso shot and killed 22 people Saturday just hours before the Dayton tragedy unfolded.

"This is a very, very serious moment in our country's history. This president recognizes the gravity of this moment," Gidley told reporters in Washington. Trump wants Americans to know "he shares their sadness, but he also shares in this anger."

DeWine also called for increased state monitoring of social media content, using software and trained staff members to look for key words often used by those who later commit violent acts.

And he pushed for earlier intervention to head off mental health problems among young people.

"We have a serious mental health crisis among our children in Ohio today. It is growing worse," he said, "The suicide rate among young people today just breaks your heart. It breaks your heart."

The governor noted that 24-year-old Connor Betts, the Dayton shooter, exhibited "anti-social behaviors" that should have tipped off authorities to his problems.

Seventeen states, including Indiana and Illinois in the Midwest, have enacted red-flag laws.

Husted and DeWine pointed out that the measure could be used in conjunction with the state's existing "pink slip" law if someone presents an immediate threat. The law permits a judge or a mental health professional to immediately and involuntarily commit a mentally ill person to a treatment facility.

Columbus Mayor Andrew J. Ginther, a Democrat in a city battling the state over city gun-control efforts, was at the news conference and welcomed DeWine's plan, saying it is important to have it adopted as a step toward reducing gun violence.

DeWine did not move to ban assault weapons or to limit the capacity of gun magazines. The Dayton killer's rifle was equipped with a 100-shot, double-barrel magazine as he rapidly fired at least 41 shots before he was fatally shot by police. DeWine said issues such as magazine capacity should be a federal issue.

Kasich, who battled the legislature over refusal to implement his gun violence proposals, tweeted: "I am proud of @GovMikeDeWine for proposing red flag legislation and more aggressive background checks. If there is anything I can do to help, I will."

In the wake of the back-to-back mass shootings last weekend, Trump called Monday for the implementation of red-flag laws nationally.

U.S. Sen. Rob Portman, R-Ohio, tweeted that DeWine's gun proposals "could be a positive step forward, protecting due process rights while getting firearms out of the hands of individuals who pose a threat to others. This issue should be addressed at the federal level, too."

But the big question remains: Will an extraordinarily gun-friendly Ohio legislature pass the proposals?

A spokeswoman for House Speaker Larry Householder, R-Glenford, said in a statement that he had "general discussions" with the governor about his proposals. "The speaker is looking forward to reviewing the details of the proposals and talking with members of our caucus about how we can improve the safety and security of all Ohioans, and get people the help they need," she said.

Senate President Larry Obhof, R-Medina, told The Dispatch on Monday that red-flag laws are "an issue we can look at and might be able to work through."

Democratic House leader Emilia Sykes of Akron said, “We’re encouraged the governor is finally listening to the vast majority of Ohioans who have said enough is enough, and that now is the time to do something to end gun violence.”

Senate Minority Leader Kenny Yuko, D-Richmond Heights, said, “Now, the legislature must act. We owe it to those nine people who lost their lives in Dayton and to every victim of senseless gun violence."

Pepper also criticized DeWine because he "did not explicitly make the connection between white supremacist groups and the spate of domestic terrorist incidents we are seeing across the country. Sadly, Ohio is now a hotbed of such groups, and it’s no secret that Donald Trump’s venomous and racist rhetoric is triggering groups like this around the country. State authorities are doing far too little to combat it."

Meanwhile, federal investigators will try to determine what ideologies influenced Betts, who might have helped him and why he chose the specific target of Dayton's Oregon entertainment district for the shooting early Sunday, Special Agent Todd Wickerham, the head of the FBI's Cincinnati field office, told the Associated Press.

Wickerham didn't say whether the FBI is looking at the case as one of domestic terrorism, as the agency has done in the El Paso shooting. He said Betts hadn't been on the FBI's radar, the AP said.

A woman who said she briefly dated Betts earlier this year posted an online essay saying he had "dark thoughts," including about wanting to hurt people. Adelia Johnson, 24, said they met in a college psychology class and bonded over dealing with mental illness, which she said allowed Betts to open up to her, the AP reported.

But Johnson said on their first date, Betts showed her a video of the Pittsburgh synagogue shooting.

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Dispatch Reporter Marty Schladen contributed to this story.

rludlow@dispatch.com

@RandyLudlow