Ohio lawmakers have passed a new law that allows people to carry concealed weapons without training or a permit. This law is known as “permitless carry” or “constitutional carry”. The law permits a “qualifying adult” to legally carry, possess, or conceal a handgun without having to obtain a permit.
However, this does not mean that Ohioans can carry a concealed weapon everywhere. The laws limiting guns in certain places still apply. The Attorney General of Ohio, Dave Yost, has emphasized the importance of firearms training, even though it is no longer legally required. He has stated that “using a firearm is not instinct, and watching TV shows is not training”
It is important to note that Ohio residents who wish to exercise their right to bear arms should be sure they know how to handle their firearms and understand that constitutional carry laws do not allow them to carry a concealed weapon or firearm anywhere they go. There are forbidden-carry zones where carrying a concealed handgun is prohibited, such as police stations. Anyone living in Ohio who meets the eligibility requirements has the right to carry a concealed weapon.
However, there are certain exclusions to this law. According to Ohio Revised Code Section 2923.12, no person shall knowingly carry or have, concealed on the person’s person or concealed ready at hand, any of the following:
- A deadly weapon other than a handgun
- A handgun other than a dangerous ordnance
- A dangerous ordnance.
Additionally, if you are expressly prohibited from being in possession of, owning, or selling firearms, you are not allowed to carry a concealed weapon.
Who can carry a concealed weapon in Ohio?
- Anyone living in Ohio who meets the eligibility requirements has the right to carry a concealed weapon.
Eg A. You must be at least 21 years old to carry a firearm in Ohio
B. You must be a resident of Ohio for at least 45 days to carry a firearm in Ohio
- Ohio is a shall-issue state with concealed weapons licenses issued at the county level by a county sheriff. There is no permit, background check or firearms training required to carry a concealed weapon.
- The new law allows a “qualifying adult” to legally carry, possess, or conceal a handgun without having to obtain a permit
- The law also authorizes concealed carry without a permit for the first time in Ohio history, which means that any Ohioan 21 or older can carry a concealed weapon
If you are found concealed carrying and do not meet the eligibility requirements or are expressly prohibited from being in possession of, owning, or selling firearms, you risk harsh criminal penalties.
Key factors that impact your right to carry a firearm in Ohio
In as much as there are no official requirements that qualify one to carry a concealed weapon, here are some of the key factors that impact your right to carry a firearm in Ohio:
Criminal history: You cannot be under indictment, charged with a felony, or convicted of a felony to carry a firearm in Ohio.
Protective orders: You cannot have a protective order taken out against you in any state to carry a firearm in Ohio.
Firearms safety training: Although not legally required, it is recommended that you complete a firearms safety training course to ensure your competency in the use and safety of guns and other weapon.
Prohibited from firearm possession: If you are expressly prohibited from being in possession of, owning, or selling firearms, you are not allowed to carry a concealed weapon.
Forbidden-carry zones: Ohioans cannot carry a concealed weapon everywhere. The laws limiting guns in certain places still apply, such as police stations.
School safety zones: Permitless carriers (those without a concealed-carry license) may NOT carry a handgun in their vehicle when they drive into a school safety zone.
Official interaction with law enforcement: Concealed carriers who have an “official interaction” with the police or other law enforcement – for example, a traffic stop – are no longer required to promptly inform the officer that they are carrying a concealed handgun
Where the danger is according to critics
Some critics argue that it is unconstitutional, performative, and needlessly dangerous. Here are some of the dangers they associate with carrying a concealed weapon in Ohio:
Risk of criminal charges: Illegally carrying a concealed weapon is chargeable as a first-degree misdemeanor but may be charged as a third-degree felony or minor misdemeanor.
Risk of escalating conflicts: Guns carried in public places can quickly escalate everyday conflicts into deadly altercations, causing tragic, irreversible damage to innocent lives.
Risk of harm to oneself or others (accidents): Carrying a concealed weapon without proper training or experience can be dangerous to oneself and others. It is important to understand how to handle firearms safely and responsibly.
Risk of emboldening criminals: There is also the concern that criminals will take advantage of this law to disguise their use of guns for ill-intentions as their right to carry firearms without question.
Ohio is now the 23rd state in the U.S. to allow permitless carry.
The law allows those within these criteria in Ohio to skip the eight-hour training, submit an application through their local sheriff’s office and pass a background check in order to obtain, carry and conceal a firearm
