Ohio Senate Passed Its Suppressor Bill 31-1. Now a House Lawmaker Wants Short-Barreled Rifles and Shotguns Added.

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COLUMBUS, OH — Ohio Senate Bill 214 would remove firearm mufflers and suppressors from the state’s classification of dangerous ordnance. Sen. Koehler introduced it in the 136th General Assembly. It amends sections 1533.04, 2923.11 and 2923.17 of the Ohio Revised Code.

The bill passed the Senate 31-1 in March and is now pending before the House Public Safety Committee, as reported by the Ohio House of Representatives. The release comes from State Rep. Monica Robb Blasdel (R-New Waterford). It identifies the sponsor as Sen. Kyle Koehler (R-Springfield). It also backs proposed amendments that would extend the bill’s changes to short-barreled rifles and short-barreled shotguns. NRA-ILA also reported the Senate’s passage of the bill in March.

Here is why this matters. Under current Ohio law, suppressors, short-barreled rifles and short-barreled shotguns are all classified as dangerous ordnance. According to Blasdel’s office, possessing one without federal National Firearms Act registration or another qualifying exemption can result in state felony charges.

The timing is tied to changes at the federal level. Blasdel’s office points to “a landmark federal court ruling limiting federal enforcement,” which I covered previously. It also cites the federal government’s announcement that it will end enforcement of “dangerous ordnance registration under the NFA.” The concern is that Ohio’s own parallel enforcement statute stays on the books. That could leave law-abiding Ohio gun owners exposed to state penalties even as federal enforcement backs off.

“The Second Amendment is a fundamental right, and law-abiding Ohioans should not face felony charges because our state law has not kept pace with changes at the federal level,” Robb Blasdel said. “I have heard from constituents across Columbiana and Carroll Counties who care deeply about this issue, and I will be watching Senate Bill 214 closely as it moves through committee to make sure their voices are heard.”

The bill also amends section 2923.11, the definitions section of Ohio’s weapons laws. That section already spells out what Ohio calls a “sawed-off firearm”: a shotgun with a barrel under 18 inches, a rifle with a barrel under 16 inches, or either one under 26 inches overall. That definition covers the short-barreled rifles and shotguns the proposed House amendments target.

SB 214 also touches section 1533.04, Ohio’s hunting statute on suppressors. That section lets a licensed hunter pursuing game birds or wild quadrupeds use a suppressor on a gun authorized for hunting. The hunter must be allowed to possess the suppressor under state and federal law and must have it registered under the National Firearms Act.

More from USA Carry:

• Ohio Law Files a Suppressor Next to Grenades and Rocket Launchers. SB 214 Would End That, and the House Still Has Not Voted.
• Texas Set to Recognize All Valid Out-of-State Handgun Licenses Starting September, Pending Governor’s Signature
• House Passes Removing Suppressors from NFA by One Vote in 215-214 Decision, Urge Senate to Finish the Job
• Bill Banning Gun Confiscation, Store Closures Amid Emergencies Passes Through Ohio Senate
• Ohio Senate Blocks Cities from Limits on Concealed Knife Carry

Blasdel also cosponsored House Bill 495, the Freedom to Carry Act, which is pending before the same House Public Safety Committee. For a look at where current law stands for permit holders, my guide to Ohio concealed carry laws covers permits and carry rules in the state.

I will continue tracking SB 214 as it moves through the House Public Safety Committee, including whether the short-barreled rifle and shotgun amendments make it into the final bill.

Legislative data provided by LegiScan (CC BY 4.0, legiscan.com).

Read the original story: Ohio Senate Passed Its Suppressor Bill 31-1. Now a House Lawmaker Wants Short-Barreled Rifles and Shotguns Added.