Ohio House Votes to Pass HB 325 to Limit Emergency Power in Emergencies

On Wednesday, Feb. 16, 2022, the Ohio House voted 62 - 35 to pass House Bill 325. The bill now heads to the Senate for hearings.

HB 325, sponsored by Rep. Scott Wiggam, along with companion bill SB 185 sponsored by Sen. Tim Schaffer, would prevent state and local governments from infringing on Second Amendment rights during declared emergencies.

Crafted by BFA, along with our partners NRA and NSSF, this is America's most comprehensive legislation to preserve Second Amendment and sportsman rights during declared emergencies.

The two bills declare firearms possession, transportation, carrying, commerce, training range access as well as hunting and fishing to be life sustaining essential activities. Both local and state government authorities are prohibited from infringing these rights under the guise of a declared emergency either on a local or state level. Further, the legislation provides legal recourse for people who experience unjust infringements on these essential rights.

"This is a high-priority BFA-supported bill," said Dean Rieck, Executive Director of Buckeye Firearms Association. "Over the past two years, we've seen the rights of gun owners in other states infringed during emergency orders. HB 325 and SB 185 seek to prevent the same from happening in Ohio at any time in the future.

"Emergency orders are a serious loophole that empowers government to work around the intent of preemption laws in Ohio. This bill will close that loophole and secure our rights in the years to come."

Buckeye Firearms Association urges the Senate to move this bill rapidly.

Additional information on this bill:

• Rep. Wiggam and Sen. Schaffer Announce Second Amendment Emergency Power Bills
• Buckeye Firearms Association Testifies in Favor of Bill to Limit Government Power During Emergencies
• Emergency Powers Legislation: Preventing Infringements of 2A Rights During Emergencies
• SPECIAL EDITION: News Conference Introducing Emergency Powers Legislation
• Emergency Powers Testimony and Victims of Katrina Gun Confiscation