Kasich orders review of how Ohio shares data with gun background check system

By: Emily Yussum

Posted: Apr 24, 2018 4:07 AM EST

By Maegan Vazquez

(CNN) -- Ohio Gov. John Kasich signed an executive order on Monday that looks to improve how the state's data is reported to the National Instant Criminal Background Check system.

"You've got a case here in Ohio where this data's not being reported," Kasich said at a news conference for the signing Monday afternoon. "So you have people who are felons who, with the data not being put into the NICS system, people who have no business having guns have these guns."

The executive order reactivates a reporting committee of state agencies, which would look for data gaps in local officials' reporting to the NICS, a database used to screen prospective firearms owners.

In one case, Kasich said, Ohio's Hamilton County failed to send its data for four months.

"There's just no excuse for this data not being sent," Kasich said.

Earlier Monday, Kasich announced plans to "take action" to improve the state's ability to keep guns away from criminals.

"In too many communities, convictions aren't uploaded to the National Criminal Background Check system as they should be. This afternoon, I'll take action to help close this gap to keep weapons out of the wrong hands in our state," Kasich tweeted.

The executive order comes amid a national debate over gun control sparked by several mass shootings. Earlier this year, Kasich urged President Donald Trump to take action in the wake of a mass shooting at a high school in Parkland, Florida. Amid the reaction to Parkland, he also softened language related to the Second Amendment on his campaign website.

Kasich, a 2016 Republican presidential candidate, is also keeping his options open for 2020 amid speculation that he could run as an independent to challenge Trump.

The-CNN-Wire