Defensive long guns for Ohio homes

A defensive long gun means something different in a Dayton duplex than in a farmhouse at the end of a gravel lane in Vinton County, where a deputy may be half an hour away. In town, shared walls make load choice and a mounted light the first things to think about; in the country, reach and capacity matter more. Ohio law leaves the choice to you: no feature bans, no magazine limit, and since 2021 no duty to retreat from a place you are lawfully in (ORC 2901.09). Pump 12 gauges, 20 gauges for smaller shooters, and 5.56 or pistol-caliber carbines are the usual answers. Remember that a long gun must travel unloaded in a vehicle under ORC 2923.16. Each firearm ships to your Ohio FFL for the background check. Our home defense guns guide compares the options.