Ohio lawmakers have introduced at least 28 gun bills: Where are they in the process?
Anna Staver
At least 28 bills that would change how Ohioans purchase, carry and use their guns have been introduced since this legislative session started in January 2021.
Nearly all of them have been along party lines with 13 bills introduced by Republicans and 15 brought by Democrats.
With the two-year session set to end in December, it appears as though none of the Democratic bills will pass. Only one, a bill mandating safe storage, has received its first hearing.
On the other side of the aisle, all but one of the Republican bills (which was just introduced) has started moving through the process. And some, like the one removing the requirement to get a permit before carrying concealed, have been signed into law.
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“This legislature has been sitting on gun safety bills for far too long,” House Minority Leader Allison Russo, D-Upper Arlington, said in a statement. “We need to put the health and safety of our children at the forefront instead of extreme and divisive legislation that Ohioans do not even want.”
Here's where the different bills introduced during this General Assembly stand.
Ohio gun laws introduced by Republicans
House Bill 62: This bill is called the Ohio Second Amendment Safe Haven Act. It says "infringement is invalid in Ohio." And it would prohibit anyone from enforcing "any federal acts, laws, executive orders, administrative orders, court orders, rules, regulations, statutes, or ordinances infringing on the right to keep and bear arms."
Status: Three hearings. Last one was in June 2021.
House Bill 89: Would have removed a requirement that certain concealed carry permit holders "promptly" notify law enforcement that they are armed when stopped.
Status: Passed out of House committee. No longer necessary due to SB 215.
House Bill 99: Lowers the minimum training for school personnel who carry guns from about 728 hours to 18 hours of general training and two hours of handgun training.
Status: Passed the House 58 to 33 in November 2021. One Senate hearing in March 2022.
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Senate Bill 185 / House Bill 325: The bill deals with the emergency powers local governments have when suppressing riots or closing businesses during a pandemic. It says firearm stores and ranges are "essential" and cannot be closed. It also bans police from confiscating weapons.
Status: SB 185 passed Senate 23 to 7 in February. Had three hearings in House. HB 325 passed 64-35 in House. Has not had a Senate hearing.
Ohio gun laws:Ohio Republicans pass bill to prevent gun store closures during emergencies, sale and transport of weapons during a riot
Senate Bill 215 / House Bill 227/ House Bill 505: Permits Ohio residents 21 and older to carry concealed firearms they legally own without training or permits. It also removes the legal requirement for gun owners to tell police they are armed when stopped. Law enforcement will have to ask, and lying will be a misdemeanor offense.
Status: Gov. Mike DeWine signed the Senate's ve into law in March. It goes into effect on June 13.
Senate Bill 293: Prohibit any laws that would require fees or liability insurance to own a gun. The bill came in response to an ordinance passed in San Jose, California, to require all its gun owners to pay a $25 annual fee and obtain liability insurance.
Status: Two hearings since introduction in February 2022.
House Bill 297: Called the Firearm Industry Non-Discrimination Act, this bill would prohibit local governments from contracting with companies that have "discriminatory practices or policies regarding the Second Amendment." It would require written verification.
Status: Two hearings since introduction in May 2021.
House Bill 383: Would increase the penalty for certain criminal offenders who are found illegally in possession of a firearm after previously losing that right under state and federal law. Some of these specific offenders would be fugitives, those convicted of violent felonies and those convicted of drug trafficking.
Status: Two hearings since introduction in August 2021.
House Bill 455: Allow concealed carry permit holders or qualified military members to avoid charges for carrying a firearm into a prohibited place if they left upon request. One example would be a restaurant with a "no guns allowed" sign. Current law allows people to be charged with a first-degree misdemeanor.
Status: Three hearings since introduction in October 2021.
House Bill 617: Require federally licensed firearms dealers to give people brochures about using deadly force and the laws with their purchases.
Status: No hearings since introduction in May 2022.
Ohio gun laws introduced by Democrats
House Bill 38: Repeal the “Stand Your Ground” law that removed a person's legal duty to attempt to retreat/walk away before firing their gun in public. Ohio's law took effect in April 2021. This bill would keep the "castle doctrine" that says you don't have to retreat in your home or vehicle.
Status: No hearings since introduction in February 2021.
Senate Bill 73 / House Bill 259: Mandate universal background checks for all gun purchases with limited exceptions.
Status: No hearings since introduction in February / April 2021.
Senate Bill 74: Raise the minimum age to purchase a firearm to 21.
Status: No hearings since introduction in February 2021.
Senate Bill 75: Regulate transfer of firearms at gun shows.
Status: No hearings since introduction in February 2021.
Senate Bill 76 / House Bill 274: Both bills would repeal section 9.68 of the Ohio Revised Code which bans local governments (cities, counties, townships) from passing gun laws.
Status: No hearings since introduction in February / April 2021.
Senate Bill 77: Ban bump stocks and other items that accelerate semi-automatic firearms.
Status: No hearings since introduction in February 2021.
Senate Bill 138 / HB 257: These bills would create similar "Red Flag" or "Extreme Risk Protection Order" laws. The idea behind these laws is to let family members and law enforcement get court orders to temporarily remove and/or restrict a person's access to guns when they are experiencing a mental health crisis.
Status: No hearings since introduction in March / April 2021.
House Bill 262: Creates a crime called criminally negligent storage of a firearm and lets law enforcement charge adult owners with certain felonies if a minor gains access and causes either serious physical harm or death. The bill also creates a tax credit for 20% of the purchase price of any firearms safety storage unit like a lockbox or safe.
Status: One hearing in May 2021
House Bill 360 / Senate Bill 205: Designate June as Gun Violence Awareness Month.
Status: No hearings since introduction in June 2021.
House Bill 630: Repeal the recently passed law eliminating permit requirements for concealed carry.
Status: No hearings since introduction in April 2022.
House Bill 661: Require gun sellers to attach and provide trigger locks for every firearm they sell.
Status: No hearings since introduction in May 2022.
Anna Staver is a reporter with the USA TODAY Network Ohio Bureau. It serves the Columbus Dispatch, Cincinnati Enquirer, Akron Beacon Journal and 18 other affiliated news organizations across Ohio.