Ohio SB392: Huge Weapons Carry and Possession Reform Bill

Ohio Statehouse 

Ohio Senate Bill 392 was introduced into the Ohio legislature on March 23, 2026. It is a long bill of 182 pages which reforms and rationalizes much of the Ohio code involving the possession and carry of weapons. Here is the summary as listed in legiscan. Summary:

 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.

There are many parts to SB 392. Much of the bill consists of changing the word "handgun" to deadly weapon. This appears to be because Ohio law, at current, only allows the carry of handguns under a concealed carry permit, and does not allow, or is unclear about other deadly weapons. It makes no sense to be able to carry a handgun, but not a knife, a fist re-enforcer, or nun-chucks.

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. Short barreled rifles, short barreled shotguns and silencers appear to be removed from the list of prohibited weapons in this bill. Here is the definition of "exclusive deadly weapon" in the bill. Underlined words are new words. Strike thru 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 number of weapons which fall under the above definitions has been considerably reduced.

In addition, SB392 changes the age requirement for obtaining a concealed carry permit from Twenty-one to Eighteen. From SB392:

(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 which 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 super majority of Republicans in the Senate, 24 of 33. The Ohio House of Representatives has a super majority of Republicans in the House, 65 of 99. The Ohio Governor is Mike DeWine, a Republican.

Analysis: SB392 has a good chance of passage. Its provisions are reasonable and likely to resonate with conservatives in Ohio. This could boost electoral prospects for Republicans in Ohio in the 2026 elections. This correspondent is not a lawyer. This article is not legal advise.

 ©2026 by Dean Weingarten: Permission to share is granted when this notice and link are included.

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