Ohio § 2305.401

§ 2305.401.

(A) As used in this section: (1) “ Ammunition ” means any projectile capable of being expelled or propelled from a firearm by the

action of an explosive or combustible propellant. (2) “ Firearm ” has the same meaning as in section 2923.11 of the Revised Code . (3) Except as provided in division (C)(2) of this section, “ harm ” means injury, death, or loss to person or property. (4) “ Member of the firearms industry ” means any manufacturer, dealer, or importer of firearms, firearms components, or

firearms ammunition or any trade association the members of which, in whole or in

part, are manufacturers, dealers, or importers of firearms, firearms components, or

firearms ammunition. (5) “ Person ” has the same meaning as in section 1.59 of the Revised Code and additionally includes all governmental entities. (6) “ Tort action ” means a civil action for damages for injury, death, or loss to person or property

other than a civil action for damages for a breach of contract or another agreement

between persons. (B)(1) Except as provided in divisions (B)(2) and (3) of this section and subject to division

(C) of this section, a member of the firearms industry is not liable in damages in,

and is not subject to a grant of injunctive relief in, a tort or other civil action

for harm allegedly sustained by any person as a result of the operation or discharge

of a firearm.  Except as provided in divisions (B)(2) and (3) of this section and subject to division

(C) of this section, a person who allegedly sustains harm as a result of the operation

or discharge of a firearm or that person's personal representative does not have a

claim for relief against, and may not recover damages or injunctive relief in a tort

or other civil action against, a member of the firearms industry based upon that harm. (2) A member of the firearms industry forfeits the immunity from civil liability and

injunctive relief conferred by division (B)(1) of this section if the member of the

firearms industry operates or discharges the firearm that results in the harm that

is the basis of the claim for relief in the tort or other civil action in a manner

that constitutes negligence, willful or wanton misconduct, or intentionally tortious

conduct or that constitutes a criminal violation of law. (3) A member of the firearms industry forfeits the immunity from civil liability and

injunctive relief conferred by division (B)(1) of this section if the member of the

firearms industry sells, lends, gives, or furnishes to any person, in violation of

section 2923.20 or 2923.21 or another section of the Revised Code or in violation

of federal law, the firearm that results in the harm that is the basis of the claim

for relief in the tort or other civil action. (C)(1) This section does not create a new cause of action or substantive legal right against

a member of the firearms industry. (2) This section does not limit the availability against a member of the firearms industry

of a civil action that seeks damages for harm and that is based on a product liability

claim authorized by Chapter 2307. of the Revised Code.  As used in this division, “ harm ” and “ product liability claim ” have the same meanings as in section 2307.71 of the Revised Code . (3) This section does not limit the availability against a member of the firearms industry

of a civil action for a breach of an express provision of a contract or of another

agreement between persons, or a civil action for a breach of an express warranty,

pertaining to firearms, firearms components, or firearms ammunition. (D) This section applies to tort or other civil actions commenced on or after the effective

date of this section, or commenced prior to and pending on the effective date of this

section, for damages or injunctive relief based upon harm allegedly sustained by any

person as a result of the operation or discharge of a firearm prior to, on, or after

the effective date of this section.