Are Forced Reset Triggers (FRTs) Legal in Ohio?
At a Glance: Yes, forced reset triggers are legal in Ohio. As of early 2026, forced reset triggers (FRTs) are legal to own and use in Ohio. Ohio state law does not ban FRT triggers, and federal law no longer classifies them as machine guns following a May 2025 Department of Justice settlement. That said, the legal landscape around FRT triggers continues to shift. A coalition of states is actively challenging the federal settlement in court, and several states maintain their own bans. Ohio gun owners should understand both federal law and state law before buying one.
What Is a Forced Reset Trigger?
A forced reset trigger is an aftermarket firearm trigger designed for AR-15-style rifles and similar platforms. It works by using the bolt carrier's rearward motion to push the trigger forward after each shot. This "forced reset" allows for rapid fire because the shooter can complete the next trigger pull faster than with a standard trigger.
FRTs vs. Machine Guns and Binary Triggers
With a forced reset trigger, the shooter must still perform a separate trigger pull for every single round. A machine gun fires multiple rounds with a single function of the trigger without manual reloading. That distinction sits at the center of the legal debate. FRT triggers are also different from binary triggers. A binary trigger fires one round on the pull and a second on release. An FRT does not fire on release. It simply speeds up the reset so the next trigger pull happens faster. A binary trigger gives you two shots per cycle, while a forced reset trigger makes each individual trigger pull happen quicker. Some states restrict both, so always check your state law.
The Rare Breed FRT-15
The most well-known FRT is the FRT-15 trigger, made by Rare Breed Triggers as a drop-in replacement for standard triggers on AR-15-style rifles. While the Rare Breed trigger allows for rapid fire, each shot still requires its own trigger pull. The firearm stays semi-automatic. It does not become one of the fully automatic weapons restricted under the National Firearms Act. Like bump stocks, FRT triggers have been at the center of heated legal battles. But unlike a bump stock, a Rare Breed trigger does not rely on the recoil motion of the entire rifle to engage the trigger. Since the May 2025 settlement, Rare Breed has expanded its line to include FRTs for AK-47-style and MP5-style firearms alongside its AR-15 models like the FRT-15L3, a three-position trigger with safe, semi-automatic, and forced reset modes.
FRTs Are Not Conversion Devices
FRT triggers are not the same as illegal machine gun conversion devices like Glock switches. Those devices convert a firearm to fire in full auto with a single trigger pull, making them a combination of parts designed to turn a weapon into a machine gun. That is illegal under federal law.
The Federal Legal Battle Over FRT Triggers
ATF Classification and the Rare Breed Lawsuit
In 2022, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) classified certain FRT triggers as machine guns, claiming that FRTs allowed automatic fire from a single, continuous trigger pull. Rare Breed Triggers fought back, arguing that its FRT-15 trigger requires a separate trigger pull for every round and does not meet the statutory definition of a machine gun. The Department of Justice filed suit, and a federal court initially sided with the government. The case drew support from the National Association for Gun Rights, which filed its own legal challenges on behalf of law-abiding gun owners across the United States.
The Garland v. Cargill Decision
In June 2024, the U.S. Supreme Court issued its ruling in Garland v. Cargill. The case dealt with bump stocks, but its impact reached FRT triggers too. The Court ruled 6-3 that a bump stock does not qualify as a machine gun because it does not allow a firearm to fire more than one shot "by a single function of the trigger." If a bump stock did not turn a firearm into a machine gun, the argument that FRTs were machine guns became even weaker. In July 2024, a federal court in the Northern District of Texas cited Cargill and ruled that the ATF overstepped its statutory authority in classifying forced reset triggers as automatic weapons.
The 2025 DOJ Settlement
In May 2025, the Department of Justice reached a settlement with Rare Breed Triggers, citing President Trump's Executive Order Protecting Second Amendment Rights. Under the settlement:
- The federal government agreed to stop enforcing the machine gun classification against FRT triggers
- The government agreed to return seized FRTs to their owners by request before September 30, 2025
- Rare Breed agreed not to produce or market FRTs for handguns where the magazine loads into the trigger-hand grip
- Rare Breed agreed to enforce its patents against imitators and promote safe, responsible use of its products
The settlement was a major win for the Second Amendment community. However, it is an administrative agreement, not a change to federal statutory law. A future administration could take a different approach, and individual states can still enforce their own bans. A Congressional Research Service report notes that Congress could still pass legislation explicitly allowing or banning FRTs, and the settlement does not preclude enforcement against other FRT manufacturers.
The Multistate Legal Challenge and Growing FRT Market
The settlement did not go unchallenged. In June 2025, a coalition of 15 states and the District of Columbia filed a lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland, arguing that the DOJ's reversal is unlawful and threatens public safety. As of early 2026, the case is stayed until February 19, 2026. Ohio is not part of this coalition. Meanwhile, the FRT market has expanded rapidly. Rare Breed began producing FRTs for AK-47 and MP5 platforms, and other manufacturers have started selling FRTs for conventional handguns. Because those companies were not parties to the settlement, its handgun restriction does not directly apply to them.
What Does Ohio State Law Say About FRT Triggers?
No State-Level Ban on FRTs
Ohio does not have a state law that bans forced reset triggers. The state has redefined "machine gun" to mean a firearm that fires more than one round with one press of the trigger. Since FRT triggers require a separate pull for each round, they do not fall under Ohio's machine gun definition.
Ohio's Gun-Friendly Legal Framework
Ohio's firearm laws are generally favorable to gun owners. The state passed permitless carry in 2022, and Senate Bill 58 expanded gun rights further by banning firearm liability insurance requirements and prohibiting a state firearm registry. Ohio also has a strong preemption law under Ohio Revised Code Section 9.68, which prevents local cities and counties from passing gun control measures that conflict with state law. No Ohio municipality can independently ban FRT triggers or other lawful firearm components. In late 2025, lawmakers introduced Senate Bill 278 to strengthen preemption by allowing punitive damages against cities that pass local gun control ordinances.
Who Cannot Own Firearms or FRT Triggers in Ohio
While FRT triggers are legal for most adults in Ohio, standard firearm restrictions still apply. The following individuals cannot legally possess a firearm or firearm components in the state:
- Convicted felons
- People convicted of domestic violence offenses
- Individuals adjudicated as having a mental illness or who have been involuntarily committed
- Individuals otherwise disqualified under state or federal law
- Minors (under 18 for long guns, under 21 for handguns)
Illegal possession of any firearm or firearm component by a prohibited person is a criminal offense under both state law and federal law.
How Ohio Compares to Other States
Several states ban FRT triggers and similar conversion devices regardless of federal law. As of early 2026, Rare Breed will not ship FRTs to California, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Massachusetts, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Washington, or the District of Columbia. Colorado signed a law banning rapid-fire conversion devices with an effective date of August 1, 2026. If you travel with a firearm equipped with an FRT, you must follow the applicable laws in every state you visit. What is legal in Ohio may be a serious criminal offense in states like New York or California.
What Ohio Gun Owners Should Keep in Mind
Tips for Staying Compliant
The legal landscape for forced reset triggers continues to evolve. While FRTs are legal under both federal law and Ohio state law right now, keep these points in mind:
- Never modify an FRT or any trigger to allow automatic fire. Converting a firearm to full auto without proper registration is a federal crime.
- Keep your purchase records. Documentation of when and where you bought your FRT-15 trigger can protect you if questions come up.
- Stay informed. The multistate lawsuit is still active, and Congress could pass new legislation at any time.
- Watch for counterfeits. The FRT market has expanded rapidly. Purchase from authorized retailers to avoid legal and safety issues.
Law-abiding gun owners who follow applicable laws can use FRT triggers for self defense training, competition shooting, and recreational use on private property.
Why Ohio Gun Owners Trust Vance Outdoors
When buying firearms, triggers, or accessories in Ohio, it pays to work with a retailer that knows the products and the laws. Vance Outdoors has been a trusted name in Ohio's shooting and outdoor community since 1938. With multiple locations across the state, an advanced indoor shooting range, and a knowledgeable team, Vance Outdoors serves everyone from first-time buyers to experienced shooters and law enforcement professionals.
Whether you are looking to upgrade your AR-15-style rifle or need expert guidance on firearm accessories for self defense, hunting, or sport shooting, Vance Outdoors has you covered. Browse our selection of AR-15 triggers and AR parts and accessories online, or stop by one of their Ohio locations for hands-on help. As a proud employee-owned company, Vance Outdoors is built on a commitment to great customer service, reliable gear, and honest advice.