2026 - BFA in the News

Note: Some websites change or deactivate stories after we link them here.

July 28, 2026

Cleveland Plain Dealer - One Ohio bill gives cities more power over guns. Another would punish them for trying.

The state’s nearly 20-year-old firearm preemption law, which generally prevents local governments from adopting regulations that go beyond Ohio law, is once again under review.

With two rival proposals currently under consideration at the Statehouse, municipalities could either regain broad authority over gun laws or face steeper financial consequences for trying to exercise it. At its core, the dispute comes down to who should have the final say: the General Assembly or Ohio communities responding to their distinct public safety needs. …

Both initiatives take contrasting approaches to home rule, the constitutional authority of cities and villages to govern local affairs and adopt police regulations that do not conflict with general state laws. ...

Jim Samuel of the Buckeye Firearms Association argued that existing remedies have not stopped cities from adopting regulations that conflict with state law, and that SB 278 would “add teeth” to the statute.

“Cities have proven that they will never abide by this law until they can be held accountable in a way that extracts a more significant price,” he said, citing the Columbus ordinances.

July 24, 2026

AmmoLand - Ohio State Fair Building Gun Ban Fails All Tests for Constitutionality

“Welcome to the Ohio State Fair!” the official website declares, announcing the dates of admission from July 29 to August 9. “Discover the Ohio State Fair, a favorite family tradition since 1850! Come for the Midway, featuring exhilarating rides, and unleash all the fair flavors on your tastebuds with your favorite goodies from one of the amazing food vendors!”

Just prepare, if lawfully armed, to walk back to your car when any of that food and drink works its way through your system, and not alone if you bring your kids. And take even more time if you take a Park & Ride shuttle.

Why? WCMH NBC 4 Columbus tells us, “Concealed and open carry guns will be permitted at the Ohio State Fair.”

True, but “the spokesperson for the State Highway Patrol said Wednesday that there is a catch. Lt. Nathan Dennis said this is no different than in years past, but firearms are permitted outside only. Fair patrons are not permitted to bring guns inside any structures, including barns, food establishments and concert venues.”

“Last year, we got an opinion from [State Attorney General Dave] Yost on agricultural societies saying that they are public subdivisions and must allow carry in the same way. The opinion only dealt with outdoor areas,” Dean Rieck, Buckeye Firearms Association Executive Director advised AmmoLand when asked about the restrictions. “We are additionally working on modifying Section 2923.126(B)(7) of the ORC to include fairs, festivals, and other public events in the list of areas where carry cannot be prohibited.

“We’ll continue working on it because it’s ridiculous to allow someone to legally carry while they walk past the Ferris wheel but ban it in the barn with the butter cow,” Rieck added.

— Republished at BuckeyeFirearms.org

April 9, 2026

The Village Reporter - Area Residents Undergo Protecting Houses Of Worship Security Training

Area residents gathered at the Church of Christ at West Unity for Buckeye Firearms Association’s Protecting Houses of Worship training, a daylong seminar focused on church safety, threat response, and trauma medical care. Instructors stressed the importance of preparation, realistic scenario training, and building security teams that are ready to respond effectively in the event of an active threat.

Feb. 28, 2026

700WLW Cincinnati - The Big Outdoors podcast with Chip Hart

Buckeye Firearms Association volunteer Larry Moore was a guest on the show to discuss a constitutional amendment granting the right to hunt and fish. Moore described it as "a solution looking for a problem."

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Feb. 17, 2026

NBC4i Columbus - Bill would allow alternative storage for guns during mental health crisis

According to the Centers for Disease Control, firearms are the most common method by which people in the United States die by suicide.

A bill under consideration in the Ohio House of Representatives attempts to address that problem by expanding the options for gun owners to safely store their weapons outside the home if they or a loved one is experiencing a mental health crisis.

Senate Bill 273, introduced by Sen. Kyle Koehler (R-Springfield), would allow gun owners to temporarily store their firearms with licensed firearm dealers and law enforcement agencies. The bill would make the process anonymous and would also protect dealers who agree to store such firearms from civil liability. …

H.B. 273 had its first hearing in the House of Representatives Tuesday morning after being passed unanimously by the Ohio Senate in November, and has earned the support of both gun rights and gun control advocates. …

According to Jim Samuel, Legislative Affairs Director for the Buckeye Firearms Association, “the gist of the language comes from, really, firearms retailers themselves.”

“We all want to be supportive of good efforts, especially ones that don’t infringe on somebody’s Second Amendment rights,” Samuel said. “There are gun retailers who have wanted to provide this service, perhaps some of them are, but more of them would be interested in doing it if they knew they had the legal protections.”