Create offense - manufacture, purchase, or sale of an auto sear
Impact
If enacted, this bill will amend section 2923.11 and introduce section 2923.191, making the unlawful manufacture, purchase, or sale of auto sears a fifth-degree felony. It establishes clear parameters that define who may legally manufacture or deal in auto sears, such as licensed law enforcement and military personnel acting within the scope of their duties. This legislation is part of a broader effort to ensure that firearms that can be easily modified for automatic firing modes are controlled and banned from unauthorized possession or distribution, aiming to curb illegal access to rapidly firing weapons in the civilian population.
Summary
House Bill 346 aims to strengthen firearm regulations in Ohio by creating a new offense specifically addressing the unlawful manufacture, purchase, or sale of auto sears. An auto sear is a component designed to enable a firearm to automatically discharge multiple rounds with a single trigger function, effectively converting semi-automatic firearms into fully automatic ones. The bill seeks to amend existing sections of the Revised Code to explicitly include this offense, while also clarifying related definitions of firearms and weaponry. The overall intention behind the legislation is to promote public safety by preventing the proliferation of such dangerous modifications to firearms.
Contention
The bill has raised notable points of contention, particularly around the implications for Second Amendment rights. While supporters argue it is a necessary measure to enhance public safety by regulating potentially deadly firearm modifications, opponents raise concerns about the potential for overreach in regulating lawful gun ownership. Moreover, there could be debates regarding the definitions and classifications of firearms and components therein, which could influence existing legal standards and law enforcement practices.