H. B. No. 279 As Introduced

Representative Hughes

A BILL

To enact section 2923.26 of the Revised Code to 1
prohibit a person from changing, altering, 2
removing, or obliterating the name of the 3
manufacturer, model, manufacturer's serial number, 4
or any other mark of identification on a handgun 5
and to prohibit a person from possessing a handgun 6
knowing or having reasonable cause to believe any 7
such mark of identification on the handgun has 8
been changed, altered, removed, or obliterated. 9

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF OHIO:

       Section 1. That section 2923.26 of the Revised Code be 10
enacted to read as follows: 11

       Sec. 2923.26. (A) No person shall do either of the following: 12

        (1) Change, alter, remove, or obliterate the name of the 13
manufacturer, model, manufacturer's serial number, or other mark 14
of identification on a handgun. 15

        (2) Possess a handgun knowing or having reasonable cause to 16
believe that the name of the manufacturer, model, manufacturer's 17
serial number, or other mark of identification on the handgun has 18
been changed, altered, removed, or obliterated. 19

        (B)(1) Whoever violates division (A)(1) of this section is 20
guilty of defacing identification marks of a handgun. Except as 21
otherwise provided in this division, defacing identification marks 22
of a handgun is a misdemeanor of the first degree. If the offender 23
previously has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to a violation 24
of division (A)(1) of this section, defacing identification marks 25
of a handgun is a felony of the fifth degree. 26

        (2) Whoever violates division (A)(2) of this section is 27
guilty of possessing a defaced handgun. Except as otherwise 28
provided in this division, possessing a defaced handgun is a 29
misdemeanor of the first degree. If the offender previously has 30
been convicted of or pleaded guilty to a violation of division 31
(A)(2) of this section, possessing a defaced handgun is a felony 32
of the fifth degree. 33

Section 1. That section 2923.26 of the Revised Code be	10
enacted to read as follows:	11

(1) Change, alter, remove, or obliterate the name of the	13
manufacturer, model, manufacturer's serial number, or other mark	14
of identification on a handgun.	15

(2) Possess a handgun knowing or having reasonable cause to	16
believe that the name of the manufacturer, model, manufacturer's	17
serial number, or other mark of identification on the handgun has	18
been changed, altered, removed, or obliterated.	19

(B)(1) Whoever violates division (A)(1) of this section is	20
guilty of defacing identification marks of a handgun. Except as	21
otherwise provided in this division, defacing identification marks	22
of a handgun is a misdemeanor of the first degree. If the offender	23
previously has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to a violation	24
of division (A)(1) of this section, defacing identification marks	25
of a handgun is a felony of the fifth degree.	26

(2) Whoever violates division (A)(2) of this section is	27
guilty of possessing a defaced handgun. Except as otherwise	28
provided in this division, possessing a defaced handgun is a	29
misdemeanor of the first degree. If the offender previously has	30
been convicted of or pleaded guilty to a violation of division	31
(A)(2) of this section, possessing a defaced handgun is a felony	32
of the fifth degree.	33