Are Suppressors Legal in Ohio? NFA Items Explained
Short answer
Yes, with conditions. Ohio treats a suppressor as “dangerous ordnance” (ORC 2923.11), but owners whose item is registered under the National Firearms Act are exempt (ORC 2923.17). Owning an unregistered one is a fifth-degree felony. Hunters may use one on game.
Last verified: November 2, 2026 against Ohio Revised Code Sections 1533.04, 2923.11 and 2923.17 and the legislature’s page for Senate Bill 214
Are suppressors legal in Ohio? For most adults who can lawfully own a gun, the answer is yes, as long as the suppressor is registered the way federal law requires. The rules sit in two places at once: Ohio’s dangerous ordnance statutes and the federal National Firearms Act, usually called the NFA. Both changed in 2026, and a bill in Columbus could change Ohio’s side again.
Key facts
- Ohio lists “any firearm muffler or suppressor” as dangerous ordnance in
ORC 2923.11. - Unlawful possession of dangerous ordnance is a fifth-degree felony under
ORC 2923.17. - Owners of NFA-registered items are exempt from that felony.
- Hunting with a suppressor has been allowed since March 23, 2015 (
ORC 1533.04). - Federal tax on suppressors, short-barreled rifles and short-barreled shotguns dropped to $0 on January 1, 2026.
- Senate Bill 214 would remove suppressors from Ohio’s dangerous ordnance list. It had passed the Senate but not the House as of November 2, 2026.
What does Ohio law say about suppressors?
Ohio defines dangerous ordnance to include any firearm muffler or suppressor, along with automatic firearms, sawed-off firearms, zip guns, ballistic knives and explosives (ORC 2923.11). Under ORC 2923.17, no one may knowingly acquire, have, carry or use dangerous ordnance.
The statute then lists exemptions. The one that matters to most owners covers dangerous ordnance registered in the national firearms registration and transfer record. Ohio gun owners rely on that exemption when they buy a suppressor through a licensed dealer and receive federal approval first.
Can you hunt with a suppressor in Ohio?
Yes. Ohio has allowed suppressors for hunting since House Bill 234 took effect on March 23, 2015. ORC 1533.04 lets a licensed hunter use one while hunting game birds or wild quadrupeds, such as deer, with a gun that is legal for hunting in Ohio.
The same section says you must be allowed to possess the suppressor under state and federal law and have it registered under the NFA. Hunting is the only use the statute spells out, so range shooting relies on the registered-owner exemption instead.
What are NFA items, and which ones does Ohio treat as dangerous ordnance?
NFA items are the firearms and devices Congress regulates under the National Firearms Act of 1934. Several of them also fall under Ohio’s dangerous ordnance definition.
| Item | Ohio status | Key detail |
|---|---|---|
| Suppressor or silencer | Dangerous ordnance | Allowed for registered owners, and for hunting under ORC 1533.04 |
| Short-barreled rifle (SBR) | Dangerous ordnance as a sawed-off firearm | A rifle with a barrel under 16 inches, or under 26 inches overall |
| Short-barreled shotgun | Dangerous ordnance as a sawed-off firearm | A shotgun with a barrel under 18 inches, or under 26 inches overall |
| Machine gun | Dangerous ordnance as an automatic firearm | Fires a succession of shots with one pull of the trigger |
| Bump stock | Not named in the statute | Parts intended to convert a firearm into dangerous ordnance are covered |
Ohio’s definition leaves out firearms that are 26 inches or longer overall and that the federal government has found are not regulated by the NFA. It also excludes ordinary sporting rifles, shotguns and pistols that are not automatic or sawed-off.
Are FRT triggers, binary triggers and bump stocks legal in Ohio?
Ohio has no statute that names bump stocks or forced reset triggers (FRTs). The dangerous ordnance list covers automatic firearms and any combination of parts the owner intends to use to convert a firearm into dangerous ordnance, so intent matters.
Federal law is the bigger factor. In Garland v. Cargill in June 2024, the U.S. Supreme Court held that a bump stock is not a machine gun under federal law. In May 2025, the Justice Department settled its lawsuit with Rare Breed Triggers, ending the federal effort to treat the FRT-15 as a machine gun.
Real-world example: A Dayton hunter buys a suppressor from a licensed dealer, waits for federal approval and keeps the approved paperwork in a folder at home. That owner falls inside the registered-owner exemption. A friend who borrows an unregistered suppressor from a cousin does not.
How did the 2026 federal changes affect Ohio owners?
Two federal changes landed this year. First, Public Law 119-21, signed July 4, 2025, cut the federal tax on suppressors, short-barreled rifles, short-barreled shotguns and similar items from $200 to $0 starting January 1, 2026. Machine guns and destructive devices still carry the $200 tax.
Second, on August 5, 2026 a federal judge in the Northern District of Texas ruled in Silencer Shop Foundation v. ATF (consolidated with Jensen v. ATF) that the NFA’s making, transfer and registration rules can no longer be upheld for items taxed at $0. The injunction protected only the plaintiffs. On October 9, 2026, the ATF extended that treatment nationwide as enforcement policy for suppressors, short-barreled rifles, short-barreled shotguns and certain other weapons. That is not a repeal of the NFA, and the policy could change.
Ohio’s exemption is still written around items registered in the federal record. Ohio has not changed its statute to match the federal shift, and the ATF has said it cannot predict how state authorities will treat items that are not in the federal record. Keeping your approved paperwork is the safest course until Columbus acts.
What would Senate Bill 214 change?
Senate Bill 214 of the 136th General Assembly would amend ORC 1533.04, ORC 2923.11 and ORC 2923.17 to remove firearm mufflers and suppressors from the dangerous ordnance classification. The Senate has passed it. As of November 2, 2026, the House had not.
House Bill 331 is the House companion. It is still in the House Public Safety Committee in its introduced form. If lawmakers pass a bill and the governor signs it, an Ohio law generally takes effect 90 days after the governor files it with the secretary of state (Ohio Constitution, Article II, Section 1c), unless it is an emergency measure. Until then, current law applies.
Timeline of Ohio suppressor law
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| March 23, 2015 | House Bill 234 takes effect and allows suppressors for hunting (ORC 1533.04). |
| June 14, 2024 | Garland v. Cargill holds that bump stocks are not machine guns under federal law. |
| May 2025 | The Justice Department settles with Rare Breed Triggers over forced reset triggers. |
| January 1, 2026 | The federal tax on suppressors and short-barreled rifles falls to $0. |
| August 5, 2026 | A federal court in Texas rules the NFA’s registration rules cannot stand for $0-tax items, in an injunction limited to the plaintiffs. |
| October 9, 2026 | The ATF says it will stop enforcing those registration rules nationwide for suppressors, short-barreled rifles and shotguns, and certain other weapons. |
| November 2, 2026 | Senate Bill 214 has passed the Senate and awaits House action. |
Penalties for illegal possession
| Offense | Level | Prison range | Fine (maximum) |
|---|---|---|---|
Unlawful possession of dangerous ordnance (ORC 2923.17) | F5 | 6 to 12 months | $2,500 |
Ranges come from ORC 2929.14 and ORC 2929.18. A judge sets the actual sentence, and a felony conviction also costs you the right to own a gun under Ohio and federal law. Federal charges can be separate.
Suppressors do not change other gun rules. Our Ohio gun laws guide covers buying and prohibited people, and our concealed carry guide covers carrying a handgun.
Frequently asked questions
Are silencers legal in Ohio?
Yes, for registered owners. Silencer and suppressor mean the same thing in the law. Ohio lists them as dangerous ordnance, but ORC 2923.17 exempts owners of items registered in the federal record, and hunters may use one under ORC 1533.04.
Can you hunt deer with a suppressor in Ohio?
Yes. A licensed hunter may use a suppressor on a gun legal for hunting when pursuing game birds or wild quadrupeds. The suppressor must be lawfully possessed and registered under the NFA, according to ORC 1533.04.
Is a short-barreled rifle legal in Ohio?
Yes, if it is registered. A rifle with a barrel under 16 inches counts as a sawed-off firearm and is dangerous ordnance. Registered owners are exempt under ORC 2923.17. Owning an unregistered one is a fifth-degree felony.
Are bump stocks legal in Ohio?
Ohio does not name bump stocks in its dangerous ordnance list. Federal law does not treat them as machine guns after the 2024 Cargill decision. Parts you intend to use to make a firearm automatic can still count as dangerous ordnance.
Is an FRT trigger legal in Ohio?
Ohio has no law that names forced reset triggers. The Justice Department settled with Rare Breed Triggers in May 2025, which ended the federal push to treat the FRT-15 as a machine gun. Ohio’s rule on machine gun conversion parts still turns on intent.
Do you still need federal approval to buy a suppressor?
The ATF said on October 9, 2026 that it would stop enforcing the approval requirement, but that was a choice about enforcement, not a repeal of the law. Ohio’s exemption still refers to registration, so keeping approved paperwork is the safest course.
What changed on this page
- November 2, 2026: First published. Written against the Ohio Revised Code and the status of Senate Bill 214 and House Bill 331 as of this date. See our editorial policy and corrections page.
If this affects you
For questions about hunting rules, contact the Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Wildlife. For federal paperwork, ask the licensed dealer who handles your transfer. If you were charged with a weapons offense, talk to an Ohio-licensed criminal defense attorney.
The Ohio State Bar Association runs a lawyer referral service that can connect you with an Ohio-licensed attorney. For more topics, see the Guns and Weapons section. This page is general information, not legal advice.
