The right to bear arms and possess guns in our country is granted by the Second Amendment, which states the following: “a well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.” Through this, people aged 21 and older who take the steps required to purchase a handgun are given the opportunity to do so. 

Ohio State Senator Jane Timken, one of the sponsors of Ohio Senate Bill 303 [also sponsored by State Senators Terry Johnson and Al Cutrona] believes that its foundation revolves around a citizen’s right to bear arms. The bill proposes to remove the federal restriction while requiring background checks for all buyers between 18 and 21 years old. 

Since 1968, the federal law prohibited people under the age of 21 from purchasing a handgun from a federally licensed dealer. Now in 2025, the newly proposed Senate Bill 303 states the following: “To amend sections 2151.022, 2152.02, 2152.16, 2923.21, 2923.211, and 2930.01 of the Revised Code to allow a person who is between eighteen and twenty-one years old to receive or purchase a handgun from a federally licensed firearms dealer,” according to the Ohio Legislature’s website. 

“The gist of that bill is that nothing will change unless federal law changes,” Timken said. “If federal law changes, then Ohio law would be in compliance with federal law. If federal law doesn’t change, then Ohio law doesn’t change. I think it’s in line with our constitutional Second Amendment rights and the enhancements for self defense and individual protection has changed in the last few years, along with constitutional carry.”

 Supporters of the bill cite inconsistencies, whereas 18-yearolds in Ohio can vote, sign contracts, get married, enlist in the military and even purchase long guns. 

From trying to balance out the right to bear arms along with the state’s responsibility to do all they can to protect the people and reduce gun violence, there will always be a concern about trying to balance both aspects. 

“I always encourage people to lock their guns up and not keep them loaded, but we have criminal behavior out there, and they get access to illegal guns, and we see a lot of violence,” Timken said.“We have federal gun laws that are on the books that most gun sellers follow those rules. I like to think that Ohioans tend to be law-abiding citizens, and usually these things don’t happen until there’s a violent incident, and then prosecutors make the determination as to what charges to bring.” 

A Bipartisan Proposal in the House 

In addition to the State Senate bill, an Oct. 16 Ohio Capital Journal article, featured on the Ohio House of Representatives’ website, reports a group of bipartisan lawmakers have introduced a resolution to encourage Ohioans to store their guns hidden away from children to ensure their safety. State Rep. Darnell Brewer, D-Cleveland, was quoted in the article. 

“We can encourage people to one, honor the Second Amendment; and two, safely store their guns,” he said in the article. 

Brewer and state Rep. Kelly Deeter, R-Norwalk, have sponsored Ohio House Resolution 148. At the time of publication, according to The Ohio House of Representatives’ website, the resolution is in House Committee.

“This is hopefully a step in the right direction, a small step,” Brewer said in Oct. 16 article.