Ohio 80 Percent Lower Laws

Legal Disclaimer: The information in this blog is not legal advice. We are not lawyers. While we endeavor to keep all our blogs updated with the most accurate information, gun laws change quickly and frequently. Legal changes can often be difficult to uncover, unpack, and publish in real-time. Therefore, while we try our best to provide timely information, be aware that what you’re reading below may change (or already has changed).

Do not rely solely on the information provided by us or on this website to ensure compliance with your purchase decisions. To ensure that you, the buyer, are acting in accordance with all federal, state laws and local ordinances, please do your own research and consult an attorney if necessary.

To see where some or none of our products can be shipped to, please see our full list of sensitive states here. 

What is an 80% Lower?

An 80% lower receiver is an unfinished and unserialized blank which requires some machining work from the end user to turn it into a 100% lower receiver, otherwise, what is legally considered as a firearm. 80 lowers are missing the trigger pocket and three holes that need to be milled and drilled out to be completed. Unless states have passed their own laws barring the possession or sales of 80% products; pending the ATF's updated decision from the most recent proposed rule 2021R-05 80% lowers are completely legal, not considered firearms and thus can be shipped straight to your front door. No FFL required. To explore the 80 percent lowers we have to offer, check out our multiple collections.

Are 80 Lowers Legal In Ohio?

As of this guide’s initial publish date, 80% lower receivers and frames are not considered as firearms by the ATF and are legal to ship directly to buyers residing in the state of Ohio.

Do I Need to Serialize My 80 Lower in Ohio?

If you build out your own firearms starting with 80 lowers in Ohio you do not need to serialize the lower receiver or frame as there are currently no laws requiring citizens to do so. Should you wish to serialize your lower receiver you certainly can if necessary through our engraving services for 80 lowers.

Key Gun Laws in Ohio

Other than laws regarding 80 lowers, these are the key gun laws you should be aware of if you reside or are traveling through Ohio.

Firearm Possession and Purchase Requirements

To purchase a long gun in Ohio buyers must be at least 18 years old. To purchase a handgun in Ohio buyers must be at least 21 years old. No extra permits are needed to purchase handguns or long guns in Ohio nor is extra registration necessary. Ohio does not have any state laws that sets a minimum age for possession of firearms although federal age restrictions should still apply. That means that essentially any minor under the age of 18 or 21 (for long guns and handguns) should be in the direct supervision or presence of their parents, guardian or when attending a hunter’s or firearms safety course, using the gun for target practice or recreational shooting at an established range, involved in an organized competition, hunting or trapping with a valid license, traveling to and from these events, or at their own residence with permission and supervision of a parents or a legal guardian.

All firearm purchases and transfers require a background check not including private party transfers (Dealer Record of Sale also known as 4473 form or “DROS”). While federal law requires federal firearm license holders (“FFL’s”:) to initiate background checks on buyers prior to the sale of a firearm, federal law also allows states to serve as their own “point of contact” and conduct their own background checks via state, federal records or databases, as well as the option to use the FBI’s National Instant Criminal Background Check System (“NICS”) database. Ohio is not a point of contact for the NICS and as a result, dealers must conduct their background checks by going through the FBI’s NICS directly. Per the Brady Act, any ccw license holder would be exempt from needing a background check when buying a gun at an FFL dealer.

Open and Concealed Carrying

Ohio is a “shall-issue” state for ccw’s and offers them to residents in the form of a “CHL” or concealed handgun license. Permits are issued at the county level by local Sheriff’s offices.

Open carrying is legal without a license except for in vehicles. Ohio state statutes don’t actually specifically regulate open carry so the federal minimum age for possession of a handgun (18 years old) applies in this case. Applicants can apply for CHL’s as long as they are at least 21 years of age. A state approved course comprising 8 hours of firearms training and other requirements is needed to qualify for license approval. Non-residents can also apply for Ohio’s CHL but only if they work in Ohio. For more details on the state’s concealed carrying policies check out Ohio’s reciprocity map here.

NFA Restrictions

There are no NFA weapons or items restrictions in Ohio and there are no “assault weapon” bans. What this means is that the federal laws and regulations regarding NFA weapons or related items are the same standards enforced for residents in the state of Ohio. Oftentimes other states will enforce additional regulations that are more strict than the federal laws.

Magazine Capacity Restrictions

There are no magazine capacity restrictions in Ohio. Enjoy those drums and belt-fed box magazines! We carry plenty of standard capacity magazines like the Advanced Warfighter mag from Lancer which is a 30 rounder too. Our favorite color is the translucent smoke one.

Mandatory Storage Requirements

There are no mandatory storage requirements for firearms in Ohio that require firearm owners to utilize locking devices. However, Ohio law required that all FFL dealers must at least offer a trigger lock, gun lock or gun locking device for sale in tandem with a firearm being sold. However, you should still exercise caution and can be tried for negligently leaving your guns accessible to children. If you need some good ideas or best practices for storing your guns and gear here are five home firearm storage options.

Self-Defense

Ohio is a castle doctrine state per SB 175 and also recently became a stand your ground state which means there is no duty to retreat before using force in self-defense or defense of another.

Ammunition Purchase

Basically all ammunition is up for grabs in Ohio as none of it is prohibited or especially regulated. No license is required for the purchase, possession or sale of ammo so long as long gun ammo buyers are at least 18 years old and handgun ammo buyers are at least 21 years old, per the Gun Control Act of 1968 (GCA).

Start Your Next 80 Lower Build with 80% Arms!

Ohio residents are completely free to build their own firearms from 80 lowers and frames without any required serialization or FFL transactions. It's the perfect state to take advantage of your constitutional Second Amendment right and freedom to keep and bear arms. That includes 80% Arms! Grab a  jig and some buddies to enjoy that freedom together and let us know if you need any advice with your build at any point in the process. Friends, live free.