Ohio Lawmakers Pass Bill Easing Short-Barrel Firearm Restrictions

The Ohio General Assembly passed Senate Bill 214 on Tuesday, removing firearm suppressors, short-barrel shotguns, and short-barrel rifles from the state's dangerous ordnance list. The legislation eliminates a state requirement for federal registration and a $200 payment, reclassifying these items as ordinary firearms. The bill passed the House 69-27 and the Senate 21-9, primarily along party lines, and now awaits action from Governor Mike DeWine.

The move aligns state law with federal developments following the 2025 One Big Beautiful Bill Act and a court ruling that rendered parts of the National Firearms Act unconstitutional. In October, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives announced that these items no longer require federal registration or departmental approval for sale.

Supporters argue the bill protects Second Amendment rights and provides necessary hearing protection. Attorney General Andy Wilson urged the removal of registration requirements he called archaic remnants, while Republican representatives claimed the change would not make the state less safe. Opponents, led by Democratic lawmakers, argued the state should prioritize reducing gun violence, noting that firearms killed over 1,700 Ohioans in 2024. The vote occurred shortly after Democrats made significant gains in recent elections, serving as a preemptive measure before a new legislature takes power in January.