3 BFA-backed gun bills moving forward this week

Three Senate bills supported by Buckeye Firearms Association are progressing through the Ohio General Assembly this week. All three have passed the Ohio Senate and are scheduled for hearings in Ohio House of Representatives committees.

Senate Bill 214

This bill, which passed the Senate in March, will get its first hearing in the House Public Safety Committee at 3:30 p.m. today, June 2.

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. BFA's Rob Sexton testified in favor of SB 214 in June 2025.

Currently, the NFA tax stamp on suppressors and short-barreled rifles and shotguns has been reduced from $200 to $0, effective Jan. 1. However, both remain subject to the NFA.

Senate Bill 273

The Senate passed the bill unanimously as Sub. SB 273 in November. It is scheduled for its fourth hearing in the House Public Safety Committee at 3:30 p.m. today, June 2. BFA's Sexton submitted testimony Oct. 15 and testified in person Oct. 29.

The bill, known as the "Keep Them Safe Act," is also sponsored by Koehler and would provide guidelines and civil immunity for the voluntary storage of firearms by retailers and law enforcement agencies as a service to citizens.

Senate Bill 278

The Senate in April voted 24-9 along party lines to pass SB 278. Its first hearing is scheduled for the House Judiciary Committee at 9 a.m. Wednesday, June 3.

SB 278, sponsored by Sen. Terry Johnson (R-McDermott), effectively puts teeth into Ohio's preemption laws (ORC 9.68) by allowing residents to sue cities for punitive and/or monetary damages if they try to ignore the state's preemption laws on guns. Jim Samuel, BFA's legislative affairs director, testified in favor of SB 278 in February.

All meetings will be broadcast live on the Ohio Legislature homepage.

To watch the House Public Safety Committee video afterward, go to the committee's webpage.

To watch the House Judiciary Committee video afterward, go that committee's webpage.

Joe D. "Buck" Ruth, a pen name for Scott Hummel, 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.