BFA again testifies in favor of SB 214 to remove suppressors from ordnance definition

On Tuesday, June 9, 2026, Buckeye Firearms Association (BFA) testified before the House Public Safety Committee in favor of Senate Bill 214.

The bill, sponsored by Sen. Kyle Koehler (R-Springfield), proposes revisions to the Ohio Revised Code, eliminating suppressors and mufflers from the definition of dangerous ordnance and removing language that mandates suppressor registration under the National Firearms Act of 1934.

This was the committee's second hearing on the bill, which passed the Senate in March.

Here is the testimony of Jim Samuel, BFA's legislative affairs director:

Chair Abrams, Vice Chair Miller, Ranking Member Thomas and members of the House Public Safety Committee, thank you for the opportunity to testify as a proponent of Senate Bill 214.

My name is Jim Samuel, and I serve as Legislative Affairs Director for the Buckeye Firearms Association. BFA is Ohio’s leading organization dedicated to protecting and advancing the Second Amendment rights of Ohio’s 4 million gun owners. Our organization has consistently advocated for legal, safe, and responsible firearm use for self-defense, hunting, competition, and recreation. And that includes the use of suppressors as a hearing safety device.

The history of suppressor over-regulation dates back to the Prohibition era. Hollywood popularized the myth that every gangster used a suppressor and that they were a common tool for spies and assassins. However, in the real world, suppressors are rarely used in crime. And they do not “silence” a gun. They simply reduce the noise to a safer decibel level.

Anyone who shoots or hunts frequently has likely experienced some degree of hearing loss. And noise complaints frequently plague outdoor ranges. This is why suppressors can be a useful tool to promote hearing safety and reduce noise pollution.

In many European countries, where firearm laws are much stricter than in the US, suppressors are widely encouraged as standard, respectful hunting equipment. In countries such as Norway, Finland, and Poland, suppressors are treated similarly to accessories or ammunition. Gun owners can purchase them over-the-counter with zero additional paperwork.

Senate Bill 214 is a straightforward yet important piece of legislation that simply removes suppressors and mufflers from a list of dangerous ordinances in the code that includes grenades, rocket launchers and artillery pieces. It seeks to treat suppressors as the safety accessory they are.

We want to thank Senator Koehler for sponsoring the bill, as well as his 16 fellow senate cosponsors. The bill was unanimously reported out of senate committee and passed the Senate with another bipartisan vote of 31-1.

Thank you Madam Chair for the opportunity to testify. I would be happy to answer questions from you or other members of the committee.