STATE
OHIO GUN LAWS
Ohio has weak gun laws and a correspondingly high gun death rate. State lawmakers owe it to their constituents to do more to protect communities.
Scorecard Grade
The state fails to require background checks on gun sales and has very weak protections for victims of domestic violence and violent hate crimes. In 2024, Ohio had the 24th highest gun death rate among the states. In an average year, 1,804 people die from gun violence in the state. That means someone dies from gun violence every five hours. Fifty-six percent of those deaths are gun suicides, and 41% are gun homicides. In Ohio, the rate of gun deaths increased 22% from 2015 to 2024, compared to a 15% increase nationwide.
EXPLORE OHIO’S GUN LAWS
OWNER RESPONSIBILITIES
CHILD & CONSUMER SAFETY
OTHER LAWS & POLICIES
What Ohio Does Well
- Lost & stolen firearm reporting
What Ohio Is Missing
- Universal background checks
- Gun owner licensing
- Extreme risk protection orders
- Most domestic violence gun laws
- Assault weapon restrictions
- Large capacity magazine ban
- Waiting periods
- Strong concealed carry law
- Concealed carry permit
- Open carry regulations
- Child access prevention laws
- Community violence intervention funding
SPOTLIGHT
GUN VIOLENCE STATISTICS
Explore facts, figures, and original analysis compiled by our experts. To end our gun violence crisis, we need to better understand where, how, and why violence occurs.
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JOIN THE FIGHT
Nearly 47,000 Americans lose their lives to gun violence every year. In communities, courts, and ballot boxes nationwide, GIFFORDS fights to save lives from gun violence. Will you join us?