The Second Amendment Protection Act proposes significant amendments to Ohio's Revised Code concerning firearms and the right to bear arms. Key changes include a revised definition of "handgun" to explicitly include those with affixed braces or stabilizing devices, the introduction of a new section (2923.50), and modifications to existing definitions for terms like "dangerous ordnance" and "restricted firearm." The bill removes references to federal regulations and allows qualifying adults—defined as individuals 21 years or older who are not legally prohibited from possessing a firearm—to carry concealed handguns without a license. It further stipulates that such individuals carrying non-restricted firearms are considered to have a valid concealed handgun license, thus granting them the same rights and restrictions as licensed individuals.

Additionally, the bill outlines new regulations for the possession and conveyance of deadly weapons in school safety zones, requiring authorized individuals to complete specific training or be law enforcement officers, and mandates annual criminal background checks for those carrying weapons in schools. It establishes penalties for illegal possession or conveyance of deadly weapons in these zones and prohibits public officers from enforcing federal firearm regulations, with civil liability provisions for violations. The bill also repeals existing sections of the Revised Code related to firearms, streamlining the legal framework and promoting responsible gun ownership practices while asserting the state's authority to regulate firearms within the limits of the Second Amendment and the Ohio Constitution.

Statutes affected:
As Introduced: 2923.11, 2923.111, 2923.122, 2923.17