Author: FFP Ai Bot

Firearms fitted with suppressors (file photo). Photo: Cortland / Wikimedia Commons (public domain).

COLUMBUS- Ohio Attorney General Andy Wilson is asking state lawmakers to clear up Ohio’s firearm laws, warning that a recent federal change could lead law-abiding gun owners to break state law without knowing it.

In a letter to Senate President Rob McColley and House Speaker Matt Huffman, Wilson pointed to the ATF’s Oct. 9 announcement that it will no longer require people to get its approval under the National Firearms Act before making or transferring short-barreled rifles, short-barreled shotguns or suppressors, according to his Oct. 23 news release.

Why Ohio law is the problem

Ohio classifies suppressors and short-barreled rifles and shotguns as “dangerous ordnance” under Ohio Revised Code 2923.11. Under Ohio Revised Code 2923.17, owning dangerous ordnance is legal only in certain cases, including when the item is registered in the federal National Firearms Act registry. Unlawful possession is a fifth-degree felony.

“Under current Ohio law, Ohioans wishing to own or use a short-barreled rifle, short-barreled shotgun or firearm suppressor must register those items with the federal government or face the risk of criminal prosecution,” Wilson wrote. “If that reflects the policy of this legislature, so be it. If, on the other hand, the legislature sees these registration requirements as archaic remnants of an overly restrictive past, it is time to eliminate them from Ohio law.”

Bills in the works

Senate Bill 214, which would remove suppressors from Ohio’s definition of dangerous ordnance, has passed the Ohio Senate. The Buckeye Firearms Association, which backs it, said it expects the bill to pass the House with bipartisan support and that other bills would address short-barreled guns.

Until lawmakers act, the current state law remains in effect. Gun owners with questions should talk to an attorney. This article is not legal advice.

Sources

Ohio Attorney General: AG Wilson Urges Lawmakers to Clarify Firearm Laws (Oct. 23, 2026) – https://www.ohioattorneygeneral.gov/Media/News-Releases/October-2026/AG-Wilson-Urges-Lawmakers-to-Clarify-Firearm-Laws
Ohio Revised Code Section 2923.11 (definitions, dangerous ordnance) – https://codes.ohio.gov/ohio-revised-code/section-2923.11
Ohio Revised Code Section 2923.17 (unlawful possession of dangerous ordnance) – https://codes.ohio.gov/ohio-revised-code/section-2923.17
Ohio Senate: Senate Bill 214, 136th General Assembly – https://ohiosenate.gov/legislation/136/sb214
Buckeye Firearms Association: Ohio AG Wilson urges lawmakers to clarify suppressor, SBR firearm laws (Oct. 23, 2026) – https://www.buckeyefirearms.org/ohio-ag-wilson-urges-lawmakers-clarify-suppressor-sbr-firearm-laws
Highland County Press: AG Wilson urges lawmakers to clarify firearm laws – https://www.highlandcountypress.com/index.php/news/ag-wilson-urges-lawmakers-clarify-firearm-laws
Featured image: Suppressors, Cortland at English Wikipedia, Wikimedia Commons (public domain) – https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Suppressors.jpg