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Bill Summary · HB 350

Legislative bill overview

HB 350 would prohibit the manufacture, sale, possession, and transfer of devices or modifications that increase a firearm's rate of fire in Ohio. The bill targets accessories like bump stocks, binary triggers, and similar mechanical devices that allow semi-automatic weapons to fire at rates approaching fully automatic weapons without technically converting them to automatic fire.

Why is this important

This legislation addresses a regulatory gap created by devices that circumvent federal restrictions on automatic weapons. The 2017 Las Vegas shooting, where a bump stock was used, highlighted how these accessories can enable mass casualty events while existing in legal gray areas. Ohio would join several other states in explicitly restricting these modifications, affecting both gun manufacturers/retailers and private owners.

Potential points of contention

  • Second Amendment interpretation: Opponents argue restrictions on rate-of-fire devices infringe on gun ownership rights, while supporters contend reasonable regulations are constitutional under established precedent
  • Definition precision: The bill's language defining which devices are prohibited could be challenged as vague or overly broad, potentially affecting legal hunting or sport-shooting equipment
  • Enforcement and grandfather provisions: Unclear whether current owners must surrender existing devices or face penalties, and how law enforcement would identify prohibited modifications during routine interactions
  • Effectiveness debate: Critics question whether targeting aftermarket devices meaningfully reduces gun violence when other factors drive shooting incidents, while advocates see it as one necessary measure in comprehensive safety approaches

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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