Ohio law could reflect ATF policy on 'crime guns'
By Greg Bishop
The Center Square
Ohio firearms owners could have the same guidelines as the federal government when it comes to buying and possessing short-barreled rifles, short-barreled shotguns and firearms suppressors.
Senate Bill 214 removes firearm suppressors, short-barreled rifles, and short-barreled shotguns from Ohio’s definition of dangerous ordnance. Supporters said it brings Ohio state law in alignment with federal law.
Last month, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives ended enforcement of certain registration and approval requirements for firearms suppressors and short-barreled firearms.
The ATF’s policy followed an August ruling by a federal judge in Texas concerning registration of the items when there is no more tax. The Justice Department decided not to appeal.
The taxes on the short barreled firearms and suppressors were removed last year in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act Congress passed and President Donald Trump signed.
Monisha Henley, SVP for government affairs at Everytown, criticized the move.
“So the Trump administration spent a lot of time doing what we refer to as ATF rollbacks, where they've really taken the priority of that agency and said ‘we're not gonna focus on guns anymore, and we're gonna let these rogue gun dealers sell crime guns,’” Henley told The States by The Center Square on Thursday in a prerecorded interview to stream Friday morning.
The ATF said in its announcement Oct. 9, it is following the direction of the president, Congress and the courts.
“The direction from the president, Congress, and the courts is clear,” said ATF Director Rob Cekada. “ATF is now following suit with our enforcement posture while continuing to ensure we remain focused where we are needed the most: combatting violent crime in American communities.”
After Tuesday’s vote in the Ohio House, state Rep. Thad Claggett, R-Licking County, said if the bill becomes law, an owner of a firearm muffler or suppressor is no longer required to register the firearm muffler or suppressor in the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record.
“Suppressors protect hearing. They cut a gunshot by roughly 20-35 dB. They also lead to less recoil and muzzle rise thus improving accuracy,” Claggett said in a statement. “This is good law, and long overdue, but I am pleased that we got it done.”
While some Democrats voted against the bill, Ohio state Rep. Mark Sigrist, D-Grove City, voted for the measure. His office said in a statement “SB 214 maintains the requirement that individuals comply with applicable federal laws when possessing suppressors, including registration requirements under the National Firearms Act.”
The measure was approved on concurrence in the Ohio Senate on Tuesday. It could be sent to Gov. Mike Dewine, a Republican. His term ends in January. Democrat Dr. Amy Acton will become the next governor in Ohio after the election Nov. 3.
While being critical of the ATF’s policy, which could possibly be echoed in Ohio, Henley said Ohio was one of the places they were Everytown was able to work in a bipartisan manner on other firearms policies.
“Ohio shouldn't be a place that has a permitless carry bill, which is basically removing the permit requirements for concealed carry firearm, or they were a place that didn't have the policy known as stand your ground,” she said. “[That policy] doesn't belong in any of our states. And being able to have that conversation again with Ohio is amazing.”