A silencer is screwed onto a hunting rifle so that the muzzle blast and thus the noise for the surroundings are significantly reduced. (Photo by Axel Seidemann/picture alliance via Getty Images)
Ohio lawmakers passed legislation Tuesday easing state restrictions on gun silencers and short-barreled rifles and shotguns, sending the measure to Gov. Mike DeWine.
Dig deeper:
Senate Bill 214 passed mostly along party lines, with all Republicans and a handful of Democrats supporting it. The vote came a week after sweeping Democratic election victories and ahead of a new legislature in January.
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Ohio generally prohibits possession of weapons classified as "dangerous ordnance," including suppressors and short-barreled firearms, unless owners meet federal registration requirements. The bill would eliminate that state requirement.
What they're saying:
Republicans say the restrictions are unnecessary and infringe on constitutional gun rights. Rep. Kellie Deeter, a Lorain County Republican, described suppressors as hearing protection, while Republican Rep. Tex Fischer rejected arguments that the changes would increase violence.
"This is in no way shape or form anything that’s going to make Ohio less safe," Fischer said.
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The other side:
Democrats argued lawmakers should prioritize reducing gun violence and lowering living costs. Firearms killed more than 1,700 Ohioans in 2024, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
"I have a young man, literally just get shot steps from my house. And we are here today talking about this bill," Democratic Rep. Darnell Brewer said. "We need to save lives in Ohio."
Some Democrats supported the measure. Rep. Mark Sigrist called it a "limited adjustment" reflecting changes in federal law.
Big picture view:
The legislation follows years of Republican efforts to loosen Ohio’s gun restrictions, including the 2021 "stand your ground" law and the 2022 law allowing concealed carry without a permit.
Supporters say the latest measure responds to federal changes involving registration and taxation of suppressors and short-barreled firearms. Ohio Attorney General Andy Wilson urged lawmakers last month to address state requirements that remained in place.
The Source: The Associated Press contributed to this report. Information in this story came from Ohio legislative records for Senate Bill 214, statements from state lawmakers, and a letter from the Ohio attorney general. Additional background came from Ohio law, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Legislative Service Commission and federal firearms data. This story was reported from Los Angeles.