Senate Passes Koehler Bill Removing Firearm Suppressors From List of Dangerous Ordnances

COLUMBUS— After no opposition testimony and receiving unanimous consent by the Senate Armed Services, Veterans Affairs, Public Safety Committee, the Ohio Senate favorably passed Senate Bill 214 by a vote of 31-1. The bill, sponsored by State Senator Kyle Koehler (R-Springfield), removes firearm mufflers and suppressors from the classification of a dangerous ordnance to align the state with federal law.
 
“In reality, a suppressor is no more dangerous than my noise canceling earbuds that I wear on my farm while using a chainsaw,” said Senator Koehler. “Like a suppressor, these reduce the decibels of the chainsaw but do not make it silent.  What suppressors also do that earbuds don’t is protect the ears of my pets and my neighbors."

Senate Bill 214 removes firearm mufflers or suppressors from the classification of “dangerous ordnance" in the Ohio Revised Code that also includes weapons such as rocket launchers, grenades, and torpedoes. Current legal proceedings may deregulate suppressors from the federal National Firearms Act of 1934 in the near future. Senate Bill 214 aligns the Ohio Revised Code with potential federal changes but still requires Ohioans to follow federal law when purchasing suppressors.

The bill now heads to the Ohio House for further consideration. The bill's progress can be followed here.

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