Ohio Bill Would Incentivize Safe Gun Storage By Waiving State Tax On Gun Safety Devices

Ohio’s HB 186, a bill aimed at promoting the safe storage of firearms, is garnering support from both gun rights and gun control advocates. If passed, the bill would remove the state’s 5.75% sales and use tax on firearm safety devices, which include products ranging from $30 gun locks to $800 biometric storage lockers.

State Rep. Darnell T. Brewer, a co-sponsor of the bill, emphasized its intent to encourage gun owners to responsibly secure their firearms, addressing concerns over unsecured guns leading to thefts, accidental shootings, and suicides. Although Brewer has backed bills in the past advocating mandatory safe storage, these were met with resistance from gun rights groups.

HB 186 adopts a different approach by focusing on reducing the cost of safe storage without mandates. During a recent committee hearing, representatives from groups such as the Buckeye Firearms Association, National Rifle Association, Moms Demand Action, and Sandy Hook Promise expressed their support for the bill.

While HB 186’s vote date remains uncertain, Brewer hopes it will spark a broader conversation about safe storage and believes that finding consensus on this issue can lead to more common ground solutions in the future.