(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 firearm.
(2) Possess a firearm 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 firearm has been changed, altered, removed, or obliterated.
(B) (1) Whoever violates division (A)(1) above is guilty of defacing identification marks of a firearm. Except as otherwise provided in this division, defacing identification marks of a firearm 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) above, defacing identification marks of a firearm is a felony to be prosecuted under appropriate state law.
(2) Whoever violates division (A)(2) above is guilty of possessing a defaced firearm. Except as otherwise provided in this division, possessing a defaced firearm 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) above, possessing a defaced firearm is a felony to be prosecuted under appropriate state law.
(C) Division (A) above does not apply to any firearm on which no manufacturer’s serial number was inscribed at the time of its manufacture.
(R.C. § 2923.201) (2000 Code, § 137.15)