Ohio Senate Bill 392 (SB392) was introduced into the Ohio legislature on March 23, 2026. It is a long bill of 182 pages that reforms and rationalizes much of the Ohio code governing the possession and carry of weapons. Here is the summary as listed in Legiscan.
To amend sections 9.68, 109.69, 109.731, 311.41, 311.42, 311.43, 1547.69, 2921.13, 2923.11, 2923.111, 2923.12, 2923.121, 2923.122, 2923.123, 2923.124, 2923.125, 2923.126, 2923.127, 2923.128, 2923.129, 2923.1210, 2923.1211, 2923.1212, 2923.1213, 2923.16, 2923.17, 2953.35, 4511.19, and 4749.10 and to repeal section 1533.04 of the Revised Code to enact the Freedom to Carry Act to rename a concealed handgun license a concealed weapons license, to allow a concealed weapons licensee to carry a concealed deadly weapon other than an exclusive deadly weapon,
and to allow the possession or transportation of a loaded firearm while in a motor vehicle or vessel.
Much of the bill replaces references to “handgun” with broader “deadly weapon” language, suggesting lawmakers are trying to expand or clarify Ohio’s carry framework beyond handguns. The bill appears aimed at resolving whether licensed or otherwise lawful carry extends to other deadly weapons under Ohio law.
The bill continues to prohibit some weapons which may fall under the category of “dangerous and unusual” as used in Second Amendment jurisprudence following the Heller, MacDonald, Caetano, and Bruen decisions. For example, it appears destructive devices are still banned from carry if they are not owned in accordance with National Firearms Act provisions.
Here is the definition of “exclusive deadly weapon” in the bill. Underlined words are new words. Strike-through words are words to be removed. The weapons meeting the definition are a very short list:
(2) “Exclusive deadly weapon” means a deadly weapon that is an exclusive firearm or that is a deadly weapon that any law of this state or the United States prohibits the subject person from acquiring, possessing, having, or carrying.
(3) “Exclusive firearm” means a firearm that is dangerous ordnance or that is a firearm that any law of this state or the United States prohibits the subject person from acquiring, possessing, having, or carrying.
The bill would narrow the category of weapons excluded from the broader carry framework by defining “exclusive” weapons as dangerous ordnance or weapons otherwise prohibited by state or federal law.
In addition, SB 392 would lower the age threshold in Ohio’s concealed carry licensing framework from 21 to 18.
(2) “Qualifying adult” means a person who is all of the following:
(a) Twenty-one Eighteen years of age or older;
The bill changes the definition of prohibited weapons from a very specific reference to the National Firearms Act (NFA) provisions to a general provision. This is likely put in place so that if the courts strike down the parts of the NFA, the Ohio legislature will not be required to revise Ohio laws again. From the bill:
(b) Not legally prohibited from acquiring, possessing, or receiving a firearm deadly weapon under 18 U.S.C. 922(g)(1) to (9) or under section 2923.13 of the Revised Code or any other Revised Code provision the law of this state or the United States;
There are changes that remove some of the restrictions on the carry of weapons in vehicles and vessels.
SB392 is one of the longest state bills this reporter has encountered in decades. It has a significant chance of being amended if it is passed. The provisions appear to be clear rationalizations and clarifications in light of Supreme Court decisions involving the Second Amendment.
The Ohio Legislature has a supermajority of Republicans in the Senate, 24 of 33. The Ohio House of Representatives has a supermajority of Republicans in the House, 65 of 99. The Ohio Governor is Mike DeWine, a Republican.
SB392 has a good chance of passage. Its provisions are reasonable and likely to resonate with Ohio conservatives. This could boost Republicans’ electoral prospects in Ohio in the 2026 elections. This correspondent is not a lawyer. This article is not legal advice.
About Dean Weingarten:
Dean Weingarten has been a peace officer, a military officer, was on the University of Wisconsin Pistol Team for four years, and was first certified to teach firearms safety in 1973. He taught the Arizona concealed carry course for fifteen years until the goal of Constitutional Carry was attained. He has degrees in meteorology and mining engineering, and retired from the Department of Defense after a 30 year career in Army Research, Development, Testing, and Evaluation.
