Gun news in Ohio and beyond: Top 10 stories of 2025

2025 was an eventful year in gun news, both nationally and here in Ohio, and Buckeye Firearms Association played a role in much of it. Here's a look at 10 of the top stories of the year, in no particular order:

1. One Big Beautiful Bill — the good, the bad, and the ugly. Congress passed President Donald Trump's "One Big Beautiful Bill," which was a mixed bag as far as gun rights go. On the one hand, the House-passed version of H.R.1, the reconciliation bill, completely removed suppressors from the National Firearms Act (NFA) definitions as part of the Hearing Protection Act but not short-barreled rifles and shotguns (SHORT Act). A Senate committee added the SHORT Act back in, but along came a Senate parliamentarian, who promptly stripped both provisions before the full Senate vote. The $200 tax was ultimately eliminated on short-barreled rifles and suppressors, but the registration for them remains in place — for now. A handful of lawsuits were filed to eliminate the NFA entirely as an unconstitutional mandate. Trump signed the bill July 4, and it becomes effective Jan. 1, 2026. BFA in July joined a long list of organizations nationwide in signing an open letter to two House committees, insisting that Congress eliminate unjust restrictions imposed by the NFA.
2. Ohio citizen calls out local festival's illegal gun ban and wins. Wilmington resident Keith Schuch recognized that the America’s River Roots Festival in Cincinnati was violating the state's preemption laws on guns by banning the carrying of handguns on premises, as noted on the festival website in October. He took his case first to the Ohio Attorney General's Office, then to the Hamilton County Prosecutor's Office, then to festival organizers, and finally to City Hall. Ultimately, the ban was removed from the website. It showed what an informed citizen has the power to do and how to do it. Read Schuch's story in his own words.
3. Buckeye Firearms Association calls out prosecutorial wrongdoing. BFA in September called on prosecutors in Sylvania, Ohio, to drop charges against a U.S. Army veteran and former special-deputy sheriff and to stop violating Ohio law and the civil rights of law-abiding citizens. This situation began when Garrett was arrested during a traffic stop by a Lucas County Sheriff's deputy and then charged with felony improper handling of a firearm in a motor vehicle. Court documents show a misunderstanding of Ohio law, arguing that Garrett's Indiana concealed carry license is not valid in Ohio and that Indiana, Garrett's home state, does not have reciprocity with Ohio. However, prosecutors are wrong on the law. Ohio has automatic reciprocity with every other state — a fact stated on the Ohio attorney general's website.
4. Several BFA-backed gun bills in the works. The Ohio General Assembly adjourned for recess in late November but not before making progress on a few bills supported by BFA, including one that would provide guidelines and civil immunity for the voluntary storage of firearms by retailers and law enforcement agencies as a service to citizens. Here's a rundown of where all BFA-backed bills stand, in numeric order starting with House bills.
5. Governor signs 3 BFA-backed bills. In January, Gov. Mike DeWine signed three important bills that BFA has supported and testified for during the two-year course of the 135th General Assembly. One provides civil immunity to a person who acts in self-defense and protects members and/or guests of a nonprofit, including churches. Another prohibits requiring firearm liability insurance or being required to pay a fee for the possession of a firearm, part of a firearm, its components, its ammunition, or a knife. The third bill prohibits financial institutions from tracking firearms purchases and prohibits government entities from maintaining a registry of firearms or firearm owners.
6. Ohio AG Yost clarifies right to carry at county fairs. Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost in July issued an opinion on whether county agricultural societies have the authority to restrict guns at county fairs, and it boils down to this: No, they don't. A couple of years ago, BFA took the issue to Yost and even spoke to fair groups about regulations and respecting Ohio's gun laws. Last year, BFA worked with Yost's office to clarify a similar issue regarding law-enforcement officers' right to carry concealed weapons at public events and establishments, regardless of whether they are on duty. That includes restaurants, hotels, sports venues, and amusement parks.
7. Senate bill adds teeth to state preemption laws. Sen. Terry Johnson (R-McDermott) in October introduced Senate Bill 278, which would add teeth to state law by giving individuals the power to seek punitive damages against cities that pass gun control measures.This would allow a court to punish cities by inflicting financial pain and potentially preventing them from passing gun control laws in the future.
8. Trumbull County's Grand River shooting range $11.3M overhaul. As we reported in August, a full-scale renovation of the Ohio Department of Natural Resources' Grand River Wildlife Area shooting range in Trumbull County is underway, with completion on the $11.3 million project tentatively scheduled for spring 2026. Once finished, it will offer a wide array of features designed to accommodate shooters of all skill levels and support ODNR’s educational and conservation missions. Located at 6693 Hoffman Norton Road in Bristolville, the upgraded facility will rival ODNR’s premier shooting ranges at Delaware and Spring Valley, both of which were completed a few years ago. Those projects were supported by BFA.
9. BFA-backed bill gives young adults the ability to buy handguns from licensed dealers. Federal law currently prohibits federally licensed firearms dealers from selling handguns to adults ages 18 to 20. A series of legal challenges, including one that ultimately could be decided by the U.S. Supreme Court, could overturn those restrictions. Senate Bill 303, sponsored by Johnson and backed by BFA, was introduced in October as a preemptive move that would allow adults ages 18 to 20 to purchase a handgun from a federally licensed retailer, aligning state law with a possible favorable SCOTUS ruling striking down restrictions.
10. Anti-gun Ohio lawmakers keep trying with new (same old) bills. This is in the top 10 not because it was truly a top story for 2025 but because it is important that Ohioans are fully aware of how elections have consequences. BFA opposes 10 House bills and five Senate bills, which do nothing to improve safety for anyone and serve only as virtue signaling for the legislators' anti-gun base. Fortunately, they have little chance of passing. But we are keeping a close eye. To see where BFA stands on all bills this session, check out our Legislation page.

Joe D. "Buck" Ruth is a longtime small-game hunter and gun owner who spent nearly three decades in the news industry. He is the website and social-media manager for Buckeye Firearms Association.