To amend section 2923.11 and to enact sections 2923.26 and 3701.982 of the Revised Code to enact the Second Chance Safety Act to provide civil immunity to a federally licensed firearm dealer or law enforcement agency that enters into a firearm hold agreement with the owner of a firearm.
Summary
HB614, the Second Chance Safety Act, creates a new framework for “firearm hold agreements” between a lawful gun owner and either a federally licensed firearms dealer or a county or municipal law enforcement agency. Under the bill, the dealer or agency would take physical possession of the firearm for an agreed period and then return it to the owner when the hold ends. The measure also requires the holder to provide a state-prepared pamphlet at the time the agreement is made.
The bill further directs the Ohio Department of Health, in consultation with the Department of Veterans Services, to prepare and publish a pamphlet containing mental health and crisis resources, veterans services information, and guidance on firearm safety devices. The pamphlet must include suicide prevention resources such as 988, the Veterans Crisis Line, and information about secure storage options like safes, lockboxes, and gun locks. The bill is framed as a public safety and suicide prevention measure, especially for veterans and others seeking temporary off-site firearm storage.
Impact
HB614 would add a new section to the Revised Code establishing civil immunity for participating firearm dealers and local law enforcement agencies when they return a lawfully possessed firearm under a firearm hold agreement, unless the conduct is unlawful. It also imposes notice and follow-up duties if the firearm remains unclaimed after the hold period, including two contact attempts within 60 days and, for dealers, surrender of unclaimed firearms to local law enforcement for disposition under agency policy. In addition, it creates a new public-health information requirement for the Department of Health and Department of Veterans Services and amends the statutory definition section for firearms and related terms.
Sentiment
The bill appears to have a generally supportive, safety-oriented framing, with its title and structure emphasizing a voluntary option for temporary firearm storage and suicide prevention resources. The inclusion of veterans crisis information and secure-storage guidance suggests the sponsors are presenting it as a harm-reduction and second-chance measure rather than a restriction on lawful gun ownership. Because the bill was only introduced and had no recorded votes or committee testimony in the provided materials, there is no formal vote history to show broader legislative sentiment.
Contention
The main policy issue likely to draw scrutiny is the civil immunity provision for firearm dealers and local law enforcement agencies, particularly whether the bill sufficiently protects owners if a firearm is returned improperly or if an injury occurs after return. Another possible point of contention is the role of law enforcement in storing privately owned firearms and the administrative burden of tracking, contacting owners, and disposing of unclaimed firearms. Supporters are likely to focus on suicide prevention, temporary safe storage, and veterans’ mental health resources, while opponents may raise concerns about liability, implementation costs, and whether the state should be involved in firearm storage arrangements at all.