Politics

Hamilton County sheriff urges DeWine to veto Ohio gun bill

Cincinnati, Ohio • November 13, 2026 • By Press Pass USA

Hamilton County Sheriff Charmaine McGuffey in uniform

File photo: Hamilton County Sheriff's Office

Hamilton County Sheriff Charmaine McGuffey urged Gov. Mike DeWine on Friday to veto Senate Bill 214, a measure that would loosen Ohio restrictions on short-barreled rifles, short-barreled shotguns and firearm suppressors.

"I am absolutely opposed to any legislation that makes it easier for dangerous weapons to fall into the wrong hands," McGuffey said. "I urge everyone to contact Gov. DeWine and oppose this legislation."

McGuffey spoke at a press conference with Ohio State Rep. Karen Brownlee and Cincinnati Council Member Anna Albi. The bill passed both chambers of the General Assembly this week and has been sent to the governor. It would remove the three categories of weapons from Ohio's definition of "dangerous ordnance," a classification that also covers items such as nitroglycerin, rocket launchers, grenades and torpedoes.

McGuffey warned that short-barreled weapons are especially dangerous in a crowd. "When you have a short barrel, you fire that in a group of people, and that shot spread goes from here to here and beyond," she said. "So, it's incredibly dangerous."

She also pointed to private sales at gun shows, where state law allows private sellers to sell to private buyers, which she said creates "a great difficulty in knowing who those weapons are being used by."

The bill follows a major change in federal firearms enforcement. In October, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives announced that individuals no longer had to wait for approval, register and pay a $200 tax on short-barreled weapons and suppressors. That federal shift did not alter Ohio law, which still tied lawful possession of certain short-barreled firearms and suppressors to federal registration.

In October, Ohio Attorney General Andy Wilson urged state lawmakers to address the discrepancy, warning that otherwise law-abiding gun owners could unknowingly violate state law. Senate Bill 214 would resolve that conflict by removing the weapons from Ohio's dangerous-ordnance classification rather than continuing to rely on federal registration.

Supporters say the bill protects gun owners' rights and reduces unnecessary regulation. State Rep. Adam Mathews, a Warren County Republican and co-sponsor, called the proposal "common sense legislation," saying it aligns Ohio law with Second Amendment protections and the right to self-defense. Rob Knisley of Ohio Gun Owners argued that lawful gun owners should not be blamed for violent crime. "Any legislation that targets lawful gun owners as the problem for the violent crime uptick in Ohio is totally wrong," Knisley said.

Ohioans would still have to pass a background check and fill out a standard firearm purchasing form to buy a suppressor or a short-barreled firearm from a licensed dealer. If DeWine signs the bill, it would generally take effect 90 days later.

The bill now sits on the governor's desk, where DeWine will decide whether to sign it or veto it.

Sources: Cincinnati Enquirer, "Hamilton County sheriff urges DeWine to veto Ohio gun bill" (Nov. 13, 2026); WKRC, "Hamilton County sheriff urges DeWine to reject bill loosening suppressor, gun regulations" (Nov. 13, 2026).