BFA testifies for SB 273 to provide civil immunity for voluntary firearm storage

On Tuesday, March 3, 2026, Buckeye Firearms Association (BFA) testified before the House Public Safety Committee in favor of Senate Bill 273.

SB 273, sponsored by Sen. Kyle Koehler (R-Springfield), passed unanimously as Sub. SB 273 on Nov. 19, 2025, and had its first hearing in the House Public Safety Committee on Feb. 17. SB 273 would enact the "Keep Them Safe Act" to provide guidelines and civil immunity for the voluntary storage of firearms.

This was the House committee's second hearing on the Senate bill.

Buckeye Firearms Association's Rob Sexton submitted testimony Oct. 15 and testified in person Oct. 29, when the legislation was still with the Senate.

Here is the March 3 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 273.

My name is Jim Samuel, and I am the new Legislative Affairs Director for Buckeye Firearms

Association (BFA). BFA is Ohio's premier organization dedicated to defending and advancing the Second Amendment rights of Ohio’s 4 million gun owners.

Our organization, as well as our members, have always promoted legal, safe, and responsible firearm use, whether for self-defense, hunting, competition, or recreation. We aim to support all firearm owners in any way possible, including at moments in their lives where they may need to store their firearms outside their home.

This need may arise when they are moving, deployed, traveling extensively for work, or most importantly, during moments when they are dealing with personal issues and make the voluntary decision to temporarily store their firearms in a secure location outside their home.

Many firearm retailers are willing to provide safe firearm storage but are justifiably concerned about the liability of providing this service in today’s litigious environment.

SB 273 addresses this concern by outlining simple procedures for storage and providing retailers with civil immunity. Without this protection, it is unlikely that any retailer would provide this service.

The bill does not force any retailer to provide firearm storage, nor does it micromanage the agreement between them and a firearm owner. It merely assures that if a retailer or law enforcement agency chooses to provide this service, and otherwise abides by existing laws, they will not be held responsible for the conduct of any person who chooses to use their storage service.

Additionally, the bill does not mandate storage by any firearm owner, nor does it provide a pathway for others to do so without the owner's consent. Firearm storage remains fully voluntary by both the firearm owner and the retailer or law enforcement agency offering storage.

SB 273 is a simple and straightforward concept supported by firearm owners, retailers, law enforcement, mental health and suicide prevention organizations, and Second Amendment advocates alike.

Buckeye Firearms Association appreciates Senator Koehler’s leadership on this issue and his willingness to work with Second Amendment groups, retailers, and suicide prevention organizations to craft this measure. Buckeye Firearms Association fully supports this bill and urges the House Public Safety Committee to approve it swiftly for consideration by the full House.

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