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

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

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

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

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

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

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