Jul 10, 2026 - News

Cuyahoga County bans gun-shaped lighters

Sam Allard

Illustration of a gun with a "no" symbol for a trigger — Illustration: Sarah Grillo/Axios

Cuyahoga County has become the first county in Ohio to ban the retail sale and display of gun-shaped novelty lighters.

Why it matters: Some Ohio cities regulate novelty lighters on the basis of fire safety, but county officials say this is the first to specifically target them as a violence-prevention measure.

The ordinance is named for Tamir Rice, the 12-year-old who was fatally shot by police in 2014 while holding a pellet gun at Cudell Park.

Driving the news: County Council unanimously approved the ordinance this week, making it illegal for retailers to sell or display gun-shaped lighters anywhere in the county.

What they're saying: "If we have the ability to reduce the risk of another child being mistaken for carrying what appears to be a real firearm, why wouldn't we act?" Councilman Michael Houser Sr., the ordinance's sponsor, said in a statement.

Zoom out: The measure arrives in conjunction with an overhaul of the county's consumer affairs code, Cleveland.com reports.

County officials will now have a direct way to enforce civil penalties against businesses that violate local consumer protection laws.

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Cuyahoga County bans gun-shaped lighters

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