City Attorney Klein statement as Ohio Supreme Court sides with Columbus in gun case
Columbus City Attorney Zach Klein announced that the Ohio Supreme Court ruled 5-2 in favor of the City’s ability to appeal a Delaware County judge’s preliminary injunction temporarily blocking the City’s gun safety laws limiting high-capacity magazines and requiring firearms to be safely stored in homes with children.
“Right now, there are gaps in the law that are failing our kids and preventing irresponsible gun owners from being held accountable when a child is injured or killed by an unsecured firearm. Most Ohioans want to see that changed,” said City Attorney Klein. “Today’s Supreme Court decision is an important win for the City to continue making our case to argue for that change—and our safe storage ordinance that will save lives and hold irresponsible gun owners accountable.”
City Attorney Klein announces immediate closure of First Stop Bar in Linden
City Attorney Klein issued a statement as the owners of the First Stop Bar and Grill in North Linden agreed to close permanently following talks with the City after two recent shootings, including a fatal shooting. The Court ordered CPD to board up the bar.
“First Stop ignored CPD’s safety recommendations that could have prevented these senseless acts of violence. That’s why over the last few weeks our Property Action Team pushed to hold them in contempt and get them shut down, and why we’re glad that they finally agreed do the right thing and close their doors permanently,” said City Attorney Klein. “My heart goes out to the victim and their family. Public safety is my top priority, and any business that threatens the health, safety or security of patrons, employees or the surrounding neighborhood will have my full attention. Linden is safer with this bar closed.”
City Attorney Klein shuts down the party at illegal south side after hours club plagued by gun violence
City Attorney Klein announced that the Property Action Team secured a court order to shut down an illegal after hours bar that had been operating at 1620 Lockbourne Road on the south side of Columbus. Since March 2025, Columbus Police have been called to the property 31 times for disruptive behavior, gunshots and most recently, a homicide.
“Columbus wants and needs a vibrant nightlife scene, but we also expect bars and nightclubs to follow the law and operate safely. This after-hours club flagrantly violated the law and posed a real threat to the health and safety of patrons and the neighborhood. It needed to be shut down,” said City Attorney Klein. “At our most recent Block by Block community safety meeting, we told residents we’d get this property taken care of once we gathered the evidence we needed, and we got it done thanks to the Property Action Team, Columbus Police and valuable tips and information from neighbors.”
City Attorney Klein announces unlicensed daycare shut down following Columbus Fire inspection
City Attorney Klein announced that the Property Action Team secured a court order to shut down an unlicensed daycare located at 2394 W. Dublin Granville Road in Linworth. The emergency order to close the daycare follows a recent Columbus Fire (CFD) inspection that uncovered nearly a dozen dangerous safety and fire code violations at the property, including an open well in the playground large enough for a child to fall through. The City agreed to allow the attached Romashka Grocery Store to continue operating as the daycare works to comply with fire and safety codes and obtain a valid license for operation.
“Public safety is always top of mind, especially when it comes to our kids,” said City Attorney Klein. “Every Columbus resident deserves access to safe, quality childcare for their kids, and the Russian Learning Center failed to meet that basic standard. That’s why the Property Action Team took immediate action to bring this center’s operators to Court to get the facility shut down once they obtained CFD’s concerning report.”
City Attorney Klein and County Prosecutor Favor secure major safety upgrades at troubled west side hotel
City Attorney Klein and Franklin County Prosecuting Attorney Shayla Favor announced an agreed order resolving the City and County’s lawsuit against the owner of a hotel accused of neglecting to address repeated drug and violent activity on the property. Owners of Econo Lodge, located at 920 N Wilson Rd., have agreed to a permanent injunction not to maintain a nuisance here or anywhere in the county.
“Hotels have a duty to the city, guests, and neighbors to operate safely,” said City Attorney Klein. “For too long, this hotel has been a haven for drugs and criminal activity. This order lays out clear expectations for management to clean up this mess, enhance security, and allow the Division of Police to give their input on what needs to happen to turn this property around and make it safe again. Thanks to the Property Action Team, Franklin County Prosecutor’s Office, and Columbus Division of Police for their work on this case to hold owners accountable and continue to clean up this area of Wilson Road for neighbors.”
City Attorney Klein announces Property Action Team secures order to shut down Short North smoke shop tied to violent crime and illegal sales
City Attorney Klein announced that the Property Action Team secured a court order to shut down a problem smoke shop in the Short North. The business has repeatedly violated tobacco laws by selling to underage customers, promoted takeover events throughout the neighborhood, and has been connected to multiple recent shootings. Columbus Police executed an order to board up the Cartel Palace Smoke Shop located at 1127 N. High Street.
“We want businesses to succeed in the Short North, but that comes with the expectation that owners follow the law and do not promote chaos and criminal activity. This smoke shop failed to meet that basic standard, so we stepped in and asked the Court to shut them down,” said City Attorney Klein. “Thanks to CPD and the Property Action Team for moving swiftly once we had the evidence needed to hold owners accountable for their utter disregard for the law and the safety of residents and visitors to the Short North.”
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