It’s finally happening. I think. As an Ohioan, I was both excited and frustrated by the new DOJ ruling on suppressors, SBRs, SBSs, and AOWs, which essentially eliminates the need to go through the unnecessary Form 1 or Form 4 process.
I’m not frustrated that it happened—it’s amazing. I’m frustrated that Ohio is one of the states with state-level laws that require individuals to go through the NFA process, regardless of the federal ruling.
I was happy for everyone else who could participate in the new system. I’m just jealous. And Ohio could have solved this. They’ve had plenty of time and opportunities.
Now that Ohio was yet another casualty in the recent blue wave, the current State Assembly finally did the right thing (albeit too late to save the election results) and passed SB214, sending it to Governor DeWine’s desk.
How did we get here? Let me explain.
The Backdrop
I’m not going to rehash the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas’s ruling in Silencer Shop Foundation v. ATF. There’s been plenty of discussion here and elsewhere, and, frankly, that’s old news. I’m going to focus on what’s happening in Ohio and on recent DOJ and ATF statements.
What brought this to a head was ATF’s October 9, 2026, announcement. The agency announced it would no longer enforce the National Firearms Act requirements for prior approval, registration, and tax stamps on suppressors, short-barreled rifles, short-barreled shotguns, and certain “any other weapons.”
The announcement followed the August 5, 2026, federal court ruling in Silencer Shop Foundation v. ATF and the DOJ’s September 24 decision not to appeal it. The ATF issued updated enforcement guidance on October 9, making the policy effective nationwide. The court ruling only granted relief to the named plaintiffs and their members. Now, FFLs with SOTs don’t have to play the game of deciphering who is covered and who isn’t. Buying an NFA item without a Form 4 is an option that’s open to all law-abiding citizens.
Unfortunately, current Ohio law classifies any automatic or sawed-off firearm, zip-gun, or ballistic knife (Section 2923.11(K)(1)) as dangerous ordnance. Ohio also provides exemptions. Under 2923.17(C)(5), an owner of dangerous ordnance registered in the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record is exempt from the prohibition. That’s why Ohioans can’t participate in the current DOJ and ATF rulings, thus the need for SB214.
The SB214 Timeline
The Remove Firearm Mufflers, Suppressors as Dangerous Ordnance bill, SB214, was introduced on June 3, 2025, by State Senator Kyle Koehler. This bill was a preemptive measure at the time in anticipation of the looming the federal One Big Beautiful Bill, which at one point included language that removed suppressors, SBRs, SBSs, and AOWs from the NFA (thus codifying it).
The unelected Senate Parliamentarian, however, struck that provision from the bill. As a result, SB214 sat in committee until March 25, 2026, when it passed the Ohio Senate by a vote of 31-1 (FWIW, there were only nine Democrats in the Ohio Senate when this was voted on).
This is where things stalled, and SB214 sat in an Ohio House committee for months. Why exactly? Election season and the summer recess. Many individuals spent the summer and fall campaigning, so fewer meetings occurred. There’s also speculation that those in the House were waiting until after the election to vote on the bill (perhaps they thought passing this bill would hurt their reelection chances. Joke’s on them).
All of that came to a head on November 10th. Now that Republicans are losing the supermajority in the Ohio Assembly, there’s been a sudden push to pass various bills before January when the supermajority will be gone and a Democrat will be governor.
The House amended the bill to also include SBRs and SBSs, something few expected. After the amendment was made and passed, SB214 had to go back to the Senate to vote on the new version, where it was fast-tracked and, fortunately, passed again. All of this happened in less than a day (it seems the legislature can move fast when it really wants to). Now the bill heads to Governor DeWine’s desk.
What About the Freedom to Carry Act?
But wait, there’s more. House Bill 495, known as the Freedom to Carry Act, addressed separate concealed carry and firearm-related provisions. These include re-naming Ohio’s Concealed Handgun License to Concealed Weapons License, allowing the carry of items other than handguns,. It also lowers the age for concealed carry from 21 to 18 and updates language throughout the Ohio Revised Code to meet modern standards, including updates to hunting law language involving suppressors.
This bill has stalled in the House Public Safety Committee since October, 2025. Ohio Gun Owners reported that there was pushback from House Speaker Matt Huffman, whom they accused of refusing to move the bill to another committee. While many pro-2A advocacy groups and Ohio citizens want this bill to move forward too, the General Assembly is pushing back (based on the election results, they probably should have reconsidered).
What Now?
DeWine can sign it, which is what we all want. He could veto it and send the bill back to the General Assembly (his track record suggests that won’t happen), or he could sit on it, in which case, after ten days (excluding Sundays), the bill becomes law without his signature.
I think the latter is most likely. DeWine isn’t anti-2A, he’s more accurately described as 2A ambivalent. He’s willing to support certain gun rights while also advocating for some additional firearm regulations. Ironically, his record also shows he’s the most pro-2A Governor in Ohio history.
However, if DeWine signs it or lets it become law, the law won’t take immediate effect. An emergency clause (requiring a two-thirds majority vote) would have been required for that to happen. As it stands, the bill’s provisions will take effect 90 days after it becomes law, placing the effective date some time between mid and late February.
Finally, while it’s not likely, since the General Assembly is still majority Republican, the new 2027 assembly could pass something appealing or striking parts of SB214 before it officially takes effect. That’s a worst-case scenario (please, Lord, don’t let that happen…we are so close).
Zooming Out
Overall, the passage of SB214 killing Ohio’s NFA requirement is a success, though not an overwhelming one. This bill shouldn’t have sat for as long as it did. The Ohio legislature has had time to act but waited, which probably ultimately hurt them in the election.
The silver lining here is the last minute additional SBRs, SBSs, and AOWs to the bill. I’m still impressed that the bill was amended and passed by both houses on the same day. Ultimately, late is better than never, and I’ll be first in line to process a suppressor or SBR on a Form 4473 once it goes into effect.