The Overview

If you own a gun in Ohio, you now have a new way to set it aside for a while without giving up your rights. Ohio's Keep Them Safe Act (SB 273), signed by Gov. Mike DeWine on June 18, creates a voluntary option to store firearms temporarily without losing gun rights. A CDC analysis found that firearms involved in unintentional deaths of children and adolescents were often stored loaded (74%) and unlocked (76%) and were commonly accessed from the home, and an NPR-reported study estimated that nearly 7 million U.S. children live in homes with a firearm that is both loaded and unlocked. The law takes effect Sept. 17. ​

What the Law Does

The law enacts a new section of the Ohio Revised Code to provide guidelines and civil immunity for the voluntary storage of firearms. Under the law, gun owners can arrange temporary storage of their firearms with licensed firearm dealers or law enforcement. Participation is voluntary, and the law is designed so that owners do not lose their gun rights by using it.

The law adds a voluntary option for gun owners to store firearms temporarily with licensed dealers or law enforcement, and its sponsor, Sen. Kyle Koehler, said it makes it easier for someone struggling to turn over their firearms without losing their rights. The sponsor framed the storage option as a way to help people in crisis: "Increasing opportunities for storage makes it easy for someone struggling to turn over their firearms without losing their rights."

Legislative Status

Sen. Kyle Koehler (R-OH-10) sponsored the bill, with 22 cosponsors including Rep. Cindy Abrams (R-OH-29), Rep. Bernie Willis (R-OH-74), Sen. Nickie Antonio (D-OH-23), Sen. Bill DeMora (D-OH-25), Sen. Hearcel Craig (D-OH-15), and 17 others. The Senate passed it 33-0 on Nov. 20, 2025. The House passed it 95-0 on June 10. The Senate then concurred in House amendments 32-0 on June 11.

Those unanimous tallies across both chambers, and across both parties, are rare for any gun-related legislation. The Statehouse News Bureau / The Ohio Newsroom noted the bill drew bipartisan support, and the Whitney/Strong Foundation was identified as a proponent in House committee materials.

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