Ohio Politicians Ignore Student Journalists on Gun Debate

It seems many local Ohio politicans have little interest informing their constituents about their stance on gun control policies.

Journalism students at Kent State University recently asked 16 Ohio politicians — every member of Ohio's Congressional House delegation — for a simple "yes" or "no" response to four questions about gun policies.

Only one, Congresswoman Marcia Fudge, responded to all four questions.

Others, like Congressman Tim Ryan, issued statements in response to the query but did not respond directly to the questions, which were:

1. Should the U.S. ban the sale of assault weapons?
2. Should the U.S. ban the sale of magazines that hold 10 or more rounds?
3. Should the U.S. close the gun show loophole?
4. Should the U.S. allow the Centers for Disease Control to conduct gun-related research?

Click here to see how your Congressional House representative reacted to the questions.

Karl Idsvoog, the Kent State professor whose class quizzed the Ohio members of Congress, said the students were not surprised that so few responded.

"What are the implications for democracy, when even student journalists asking simple, basic questions on an important issue do not expect their elected officials to be responsive?" Idsvoog said.