Ohio Ends State Registration for Suppressors, Short-Barreled Guns

Ohio Republicans used their lame-duck session to pass Senate Bill 214, stripping suppressors, short-barreled rifles and short-barreled shotguns out of the state's "dangerous ordnance" category before a gun-control-backed governor takes office.

Snapshot

Bearing Arms' Cam Edwards covers SB 214, which eliminates Ohio's separate state registration requirement for suppressors and short-barreled guns, aligning state law with federal NFA enforcement. The bill passed with some Democratic support and now awaits Governor Mike DeWine's signature before Governor-elect Amy Acton, who opposes such measures, takes office.

Key points

• What changes: SB 214 removes the requirement that Ohioans separately register suppressors, SBRs and short-barreled shotguns at the state level on top of the federal $200 tax stamp process.
• Who's backing it: Rep. Kellie Deeter calls suppressors hearing-protection tools, not stealth devices, while Rep. Tex Fischer rejects Democratic claims the bill would make Ohio "less safe."
• Bipartisan crack: A handful of Democrats crossed over to support the bill, which Edwards notes matters since Republicans will need at least three Senate Democrats for a veto-proof majority next session.
• The clock is ticking: Edwards argues Republicans are racing to pass pro-gun bills now because Acton, backed by gun-control groups, is expected to veto similar legislation once sworn in.
• Federal wildcard: Edwards warns the $200 federal tax stamp fee could return or rise if Democrats retake Congress, a fight he says will play out in Washington, not Columbus.

Quick take

Edwards frames SB 214 as a narrow but real fix, cutting duplicate paperwork rather than changing federal law, and argues Ohio lawmakers are smart to bank wins now before a hostile governor can start vetoing them.

Read the full story: bearingarms.com