Ohio’s Senate has taken clear, decisive action on suppressor reform, but the House has not finished the job. Senate Bill 214 passed the Senate by a decisive 31–1 vote, yet months later, the bill remains stalled in the House Public Safety Committee. SB 214 would remove firearm mufflers and suppressors from Ohio’s legal classification of “dangerous ordnance.”
This is not a personal attack on House Speaker Matt Huffman or legislative leadership. Speaker Huffman has a proven track record of strong pro-gun leadership, consistently advancing Second Amendment priorities and defending the constitutional rights of Ohio gun owners throughout his tenure. Rather, this is a demand for basic legislative accountability and a recognition that a rare reform opportunity must not be taken for granted. A bill sitting in committee changes nothing, a vague promise to consider it later provides zero legal certainty, and an unverified assumption that Governor Mike DeWine will sign it is a dangerous gamble.
Governor DeWine’s track record on the Second Amendment has been lukewarm at best—and openly hostile at worst.
Throughout his decades in public office, from his tenure in the U.S. Senate to the governor’s mansion, DeWine has earned a reputation among gun owners as an unreliable defender of constitutional rights. During his time in Washington, DeWine’s anti-gun voting record earned him abysmal ratings from grassroots firearm organizations, including an “F” rating from Buckeye Firearms Association (BFA) and the NRA. That record alienated Ohio’s firearms community and played a pivotal role in his 2006 U.S. Senate defeat to Sherrod Brown, as thousands of constitutional conservatives simply refused to rally behind a candidate who failed to defend their fundamental rights.
As Governor, DeWine doubled down on this anti-gun impulse when he introduced his “STRONG Ohio” legislative package (S.B. 221). Driven by executive overreach, DeWine’s proposal pushed for “Safety Protection Orders”—Ohio’s version of Red Flag laws—and state-level initiatives aimed at restricting private gun sales. These proposals directly threatened due process rights and sought to penalize law-abiding gun owners instead of targeting actual criminals. Though the General Assembly wisely rejected his infringements, DeWine proved that his instinct is to look for ways to restrict firearm rights rather than expand them.
The stakes in Ohio extend directly to the federal level. We must vote for Jon Husted in the U.S. Senate special election; Americans cannot risk allowing Sherrod Brown back in the U.S. Senate. Brown’s long legislative record has consistently aligned with anti-gun interest groups and federal gun-control agendas. Restoring constitutional balance in Washington requires electing a senator who will defend the Second Amendment rather than vote to restrict it.
Supporters of SB 214, led by bill sponsor Senator Kyle Koehler, have made a practical argument: suppressors are primarily noise-reduction safety tools and should not be classified under state law alongside explosives or fully automatic weapons. Purchasers would remain fully subject to applicable federal requirements, but updating state law eliminates unnecessary state felony exposure for law-abiding gun owners. That distinction matters. SB 214 updates state law to ensure lawful conduct is not needlessly criminalized, and the stakes are serious enough to warrant a direct legislative decision.
If amendments are necessary, House leadership should publish them. If additional testimony is needed, schedule it. If there are remaining objections, identify them publicly—and then bring the proposal to a floor vote.
Passing the House is a critical step, but it does not enact law on its own. We must put the pressure directly where it belongs: Governor Mike DeWine must state publicly, without hesitation or political double-talk, whether he will sign legislation removing suppressors from Ohio’s dangerous ordnance classification. DeWine’s decision on this bill will permanently cement his legacy regarding the protection of our Second Amendment civil rights and the constitutional freedoms of Ohio residents he swore an oath to defend. Gun owners are tired of passive leadership that forces responsible citizens to navigate legal minefields just to protect their hearing and exercise their fundamental rights.
If Governor DeWine supports the measure, stating so publicly will clarify the path forward and prove to gun owners that he will not stand in the way of constitutional reform. If he has objections, lawmakers and the public deserve to know what they are while there is still time to address them in the legislative process. Ohioans seeking clarity from the administration can voice their stance by contacting the Governor’s office directly at (614) 644-4357 or by submitting a message through the official web portal at governor.ohio.gov/contact.
For every law-abiding gun owner in Ohio, this is about far more than legislative mechanics—it is about the sacred, non-negotiable right to defend our families without being treated like criminals by our own government. We have watched politicians offer warm promises while leaving constitutional freedoms hanging in the balance.
We cannot afford to leave our Second Amendment heritage to chance or rely on temporary allies. Vivek Ramaswamy stands as an unapologetic champion who refuses to compromise on the Right to Keep and Bear Arms. He understands that our rights are not privileges granted by bureaucrats, but inherent freedoms that must be fiercely guarded. When you cast your vote for Vivek Ramaswamy, you are not just electing a governor; you are drawing a line in the sand for liberty, ensuring that Ohio has a fearless leader who will stand shoulder-to-shoulder with gun owners and sign suppressor reform and constitutional protections into law without hesitation.
Speaker Huffman and House leadership should establish a firm timeline to report SB 214 out of committee. Governor DeWine should publicly clarify whether he will sign the bill upon passage. Ultimately, it is up to you—the Ohio voter—to protect our freedoms. We must storm the polls, elect Jon Husted to the U.S. Senate, vote for Vivek Ramaswamy as Governor, and make our voices heard to safeguard our Second Amendment rights for generations to come.
“Later” is not a legislative accomplishment, and an election is no substitute for completing the work already before the General Assembly. The House should act, the Governor should answer, and Ohio voters must stand up and defend liberty at the ballot box.
About Sean Maloney
Sean Maloney is a criminal defense attorney, co-founder of Second Call Defense, and an NRA-certified firearms instructor. He is a nationally recognized speaker on critical topics, including the Second Amendment, self-defense, the use of lethal force, and concealed carry. Sean has worked on numerous use-of-force and self-defense cases and has personally trained hundreds of civilians to respond safely and legally to life-threatening situations. He is a passionate advocate for restoring the cultural legitimacy of the Second Amendment and promoting personal responsibility in self-defense.
