BFA testifies for SB 214 to remove suppressors from ordnance definition

On Wednesday, June 25, 2025, Buckeye Firearms Association (BFA) submitted testimony to the Ohio Senate Armed Services, Veterans Affairs and Public Safety Committee in support of Senate Bill 214.

The bill, sponsored by Sen. Kyle Koehler (R-Springfield), is identical to House Bill 331 (See our article) and 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, aligning state law with provisions in the federal reconciliation bill making its way through Congress.

Dubbed President Donald Trump's "One Big Beautiful Bill," H.R.1 seeks to entirely remove suppressors from NFA regulations. The U.S. House of Representatives narrowly passed the bill, but its fate in the U.S. Senate remains uncertain.

This was the second hearing for SB 214. Here is the testimony of Rob Sexton, BFA's legislative affairs director:

Mr. Chairman, members of the Senate Armed Services, Veterans Affairs and Public Safety Committee, I am Rob Sexton, Legislative Affairs Director for Buckeye Firearms Association. BFA is Ohio’s premier defender of the Second Amendment. We are proponents of Senate Bill 214, a common sense measure, and ask this committee to favorably send it to the full Senate for consideration.

As Congress debates President Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill” both chambers have included language that remove firearm noise suppressors from the 1934 National Firearms Act. While the two chambers have discussed different approaches, there is agreement to eliminate the unjustified $200 excise tax on suppressors. Buyers would still need to submit to a normal firearms related background check.

Ohio needs to prepare for these outcomes because law-abiding firearms owners, many of whom have purchased suppressors or wish to will be caught between conflicting federal and state law. Ohio law still considers suppressors to be a dangerous ordnance. The history of this over regulation dates back to prohibition among fears that the use of suppressors on firearms would be used by criminals.

More modern entertainment such as movies and television have portrayed them as the weapons of choice for spies and assassins. The reality is much more practical and far more benign. Noise suppressors do not “silence” gun fire, and they certainly don’t sound like a barely audible “spit” that is portrayed on screen.

Noise suppressors are most commonly used by sportsmen and women and target shooters because they help preserve our hearing. Many hunters already use suppressors. Anyone who shoots with any frequency has experienced some level of hearing loss, and a noise suppressor is a useful tool to prevent it. Many countries with much stricter laws than the USA actually encourage or even mandate the use of suppressors where practical because they also decrease noise complaints from neighbors.

Senate Bill 214 will align Ohio law with the pending federal action in Congress and allow firearm owners to utilize this practical and helpful tool without burdensome taxation and intrusive registration. We’re thankful to Senator Koehler for introducing this important bill and ask this committee to vote Yes to allow full consideration by the Senate.

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