The cities of Columbus and Dayton are suing 's office over what they call a failure to update the criminal background check system used to investigate potential gun owners.
In Ohio, individual county courts and law enforcement departments are supposed to update the with criminal convictions that could prevent someone from buying a gun.
But multiple reports have found that process is not working 鈥� with some counties reporting the information late, and others not at all. That means thousands of people could have access to gun purchases who shouldn't, the lawsuit says.
At a press conference Monday, argues the onus is on the Attorney General鈥檚 Office to ensure information is up-to-date on the state鈥檚 database, which feeds into a federal background check system.
"Regardless of where one stands on gun laws, nobody should disagree with the central premise of this litigation鈥攌eeping guns out of the hands of criminals by making improving the background system so that it鈥檚 accurate and it鈥檚 complete," Klein said.
The complaint was filed in state court in Columbus and seeks to have a judge order the BCI to fix the problem.
"We're seeking action for BCI to address these clear problems so that we can improve public safety for all Ohioans," Klein said.
鈥淭he records missing from our background check system create unacceptable risks to public safety,鈥� said , who has been a leader in advocating for gun reforms following last year's Oregon District mass shooting, which killed nine and wounded more than two dozen others.
A spokeswoman for Yost dismissed the lawsuit as containing 鈥渉igh drama, low substance, and no solutions,鈥� and criticized the plaintiffs for not communicating with the attorney general's office ahead of time.
鈥淲e are investing millions of dollars to improve this system and have taken steps to root out any errors,鈥� said Bethany McCorkle, Yost's communication's director. 鈥淏CI is working with the court system and law enforcement agencies to ensure information is more quickly and accurately fed into the background check system as required.鈥�
Earlier this year, a new cross-check system championed by Yost turned up 42 people who held Ohio concealed-carry permits even though they are ineligible for such permits.
A Quinnipiac University poll found that 90% of Ohioans, including 87% of gun owners, support background checks.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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