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Ohio is a Shall Issue state that honors resident and non-resident carry permits from all other states.

Section 109.69. (A)(1). The attorney general of the state of Ohio shall agree into a reciprocity with another state if both are determined from the state:
a. The requirements for the eligibility of the permit holders in that particular state can be compared to the eligibility requirements under Revised Code Section 2923.125.
b. The state honors concealed carry permits issued pursuant to Section 2923.125 of the Revised Code.

Residents should submit their application to the sheriff of the country where they reside. The process below applies to the Washington County, but almost all other counties have the same application process.
a. Complete a training on weapons proficiency. There is a requirement of 8 hours consisting of range time and live-fire training.
b. Make sure that the instructor has a training certificate issued by the state or any national gun organization.
c. After the completion of training, obtain the following:
• Application Form
• Attorney General Firearm Pamphlet

The application form should be completed before the submission of the applicant.

The applicant must appear to Washington County with the following:
a. Completed CCW application form
b. Photocopy of the training certificate
c. Passport-style color photo taken within 30 days before the application
d. Application fee of $67.00 which can be paid through money order, cashier’s check or certified bank check
The applicant’s fingerprints will be taken for criminal background check through BCI&I and FBI.

The carry permit issued by Ohio is valid up to 5 years. Renewal fee costs $50.00

Ohio Military Members and their Spouses
2923.125. (F)(1)(b). An individual who is in active duty in the armed forces of the United States shall be exempted from the requirements under this section, provided that the individual had obtained a permit while on active duty. The spouse is also exempted from the requirements for the duration of the individual’s active duty. Both the individual and spouse may apply for a renewal of the carry permit during the period of active duty.

Employed in Ohio and Moving Out of Ohio
2923.125. (F). An individual who is applying for a carry permit shall submit the application to the sheriff of the county of which he is employed or where he resides a processing fee of $50.00 if he has been a resident of Ohio for five or more years or $50.00 processing fee and a criminal background check fee if he is a resident of Ohio for less than five years.

An individual who is a permit holder and who moves out of Ohio and is no longer a resident of the state can use the permit until the date of expiration but will not be allowed to renew the permit.
Note: Employed individuals in Ohio are allowed to apply for a carry permit. The process will be the same as the residents. The county sheriffs may also issue emergency permits to those with justifiable needs to obtain such without being required to present a training completion.

Sec. 2923.126. (B). Prohibited Places.
Under this section, individuals are not allowed to carry their firearms on the following places even if there is a valid carry permit:
a. Law enforcement station
b. Offices of the county sheriff
c. Highway patrol station
d. Premises operated by BCI
e. Correctional and detention facilities
f. Airport terminals
g. Mental hospitals and facilities
h. Courthouses and courtrooms
i. Universities
j. Church and places of worship
k. Day care centers
l. Establishments serving intoxicating liquor if the individual intends to consume alcohol
m. Government facilities except for restrooms and parking lots
n. School safety zones which include the school and its buildings, school bus, and other facilities used by the students. Carrying of firearm in school properties is allowed if an individual has a concealed carry permit, but he or she is not allowed to enter the buildings.
o. Capitol buildings and grounds unless there is a written permission from the authority

“Capitol grounds” refer to the capitol, senate building and atrium connector. This includes the capitol’s properties.

Sec. 2923.126(C). Private employers are allowed to restrict the possession of firearms on their properties.

Sec. 2923.16. Individuals should not be prohibited from carrying, storing or leaving their firearms in vehicles in parking lots of the state capitol building if they do not violate the division (A), (B), (C), (D), and (E) of this section.

105.41. Possession of a firearm in a vehicle that is parked in the state underground parking garage is allowed if the individual does not violate section 2923.16. of the Revised Code.

Sec. 2923.126. (C)(3)(a). An individual who violates a posted prohibition but the premises is a parking lot or any other facility where a vehicle can be parked, the individual is not guilty of Criminal Trespass. However, he may be subjected to a civil action for trespass.

(C)(3) (b). A tenant who is a permit holder or his guests shall not be prohibited by the landlord to lawfully possess firearms on his residential premises.

Transporting in Motor Vehicles
2923.16.
An individual who has been issued a permit or temporary emergency permit to carry a concealed firearm in Ohio or a carry permit issued by another state of which Ohio has entered into a reciprocity agreement, who is a passenger of a vehicle that is stopped by a police officer for a purpose defined in section 5503.34 of the Revised, shall be allowed to do any of the following:
a. Not to inform immediately a police officer or anyone who has the authority during a stop that he possesses a permit to carry a concealed firearm and that a firearm is carried in the vehicle.
b. Touch a loaded firearm in a vehicle with the hands or fingers when the law enforcement officer approaches and before he leaves, unless touching of the firearm is pursuant to and is according to the order of the law enforcement officer.
c. Fail to follow a lawful order of a police officer when the vehicle is stopped for a certain purpose.

Sec. 2923.16. (K). An “unloaded firearm” refers to a firearm that has no ammunition, or a magazine or speed loader with
ammunition inserted on it. Moreover, at least one of the following should apply:
a. The magazine or speed loader of the firearm does not have an ammunition.
b. A loaded magazine is placed in a separate compartment of the vehicle and is not readily accessible for the passengers.

A “container that provides complete and separate enclosure” refers to any of the following:
a. A box or case
b. A compartment that can be closed with a button, zipper, hook, buckle or fastener and needs to be opened to access what’s inside

“No Firearm” signs in Ohio have the force of the law.

R.C. 2923.126(C)(3). Private property owners are allowed to post signs to prohibit the possession of firearms on their properties.

Note: Nationalcarryacademy.com suggests you to produce “No Firearm=No Money cards” and hand one to the manager of the property.

Individuals who are carrying firearms within the state of Ohio shall immediately officer police officers on contact.

2923.126. An individual carrying a firearm who is stopped by a law enforcement officer for any purpose shall immediately inform that officer that he or she is a carry permit holder and that a firearm is currently carried. The individual should not be allowed to touch or attempt to remove the firearm while being approached by a police officer and before the officer leaves.

Carrying of firearms in state parks, national forests, state WMA’s and road side rest areas is allowed in the state of Ohio, but buildings in such areas are considered off limits.

Traveling in a vehicle with a firearm without a carry permit in Ohio is illegal.

2923.16. Improperly Handling Firearms in A Motor Vehicle.
Discharging of firearms in vehicles is not allowed. No individual shall be allowed to transport a loaded handgun that is readily accessible to the passenger. Carrying of an unloaded firearm in a vehicle is allowed if it is placed in a closed box or case, in the vehicle’s trunk or any compartment that can only be accessed by leaving the vehicle or in a secured holder specifically designed for such purpose. The firearm should measure at least 24 inches from the muzzle to the part of the stock far from the muzzle and at least 18 inches in length.

Individuals should not transport a loaded firearm in a vehicle under the influence of alcohol or drug or if the blood, urine or breath has a trace of alcohol.

d. An individual who have been issued a permit or temporary emergency permit to carry a concealed firearm in Ohio or a carry permit issued by another state of which Ohio has entered into a reciprocity agreement, who is a passenger of a vehicle that is stopped by a police officer for a purpose defined in section 5503.34 of the Revised, shall be allowed to do any of the following:
e. Not to inform immediately a police officer or anyone who has the authority during a stop that he possesses a permit to carry a concealed firearm and that a firearm is carried in the vehicle.
f. Touch a loaded firearm in a vehicle with the hands or fingers when the law enforcement officer approaches and before he leaves, unless touching of the firearm is pursuant to and is according to the order of the law enforcement officer. Fail to follow a lawful order of a police officer when the vehicle is stopped for a certain purpose.

The state of Ohio allows open carrying within the state, but there must be a valid carry permit to be able to possess a firearm in a vehicle. The off limits places listed in the “Carry Permit Limitations” section above apply to those who open carry. You may check the “Traveling in a a Vehicle with a Firearm without an Ohio Permit” section above to know more about carrying in a vehicle.

State and local authorities are not allowed to pass ordinances and regulations that can prohibit open carrying. However, individuals who are asked by a property owner to leave must do so immediately. Failure to leave may result to a Criminal Trespass. Recently, open carrying is becoming more common in Ohio.

The minimum age required to be able to open carry is 21 years old.

Some states do not allow open carrying in places that allow concealed carrying. To know more information about open carrying, visit the website at www.opencarry.org or search the keywords “Ohio Open Carry” on Google. You may also read the “Relevant Court Cases and Opinions of Ohio AG” section for legal opinions about open carrying.

Sec. 9.68. (A). The general assembly ensures that a uniform law regarding the possession, transportation, sale, storage and transfer of firearms is provided throughout the state of Ohio. The individuals shall have the right to keep and bear arms, except for those who do not have carry permits/licenses.

Aggrieved individuals under this section may bring a civil action to the court and may be awarded reasonable costs including attorney fees.

Title 23: Chapter 2305

§ 2305.40. Immunity of owner, lessee or renter of real property as to self-defense or defense of others.
§ 2307.60. Civil action for damages for criminal act.
§ 2307.601. No duty to retreat in residence or vehicle.
§ 2901.05. Burden of proof – reasonable doubt – self-defense.
§ 2901.09. No duty to retreat in residence or vehicle.

To know more about the laws concerning the use and possession of knives, click on this link.

Restaurant carrying is allowed in the state of Ohio. “Restaurant carrying” means carrying a firearm in a restaurant that serves alcohol. This may or may not mean that the carrier is allowed to sit at the bar area of the restaurant. Nationalcarryacademy.com recommends you not to sit on the bar area because in some states, this is illegal.

There are some places that use “No Gun” signs like Friday’s and Red Lobster, and if you come across such places, you should leave immediately. When carrying, an individual should not consume alcohol because a single drink can be considered illegal in some states. For further information on restaurant carrying, check the laws that apply to your state.

Currently, the state of Ohio does not have any magazine limits. The state has changed its definition of a “machine gun”, which now refers to a firearm capable of firing more than one round with a single press on the trigger and removed the previous definition of being capable of firing more than 31 rounds without reloading.

The use of stun devices in Ohio is legal, but there are restrictions.

Check the Ohio State Code Sec. 2923.126(E) through Sec.2923.126(G) to know more information about retired officials.

• Ohio Attorney General on No Gun Signs among County Buildings
• Ohio Attorney General on Carrying among LEO while off duty
• Ohio Supreme Court on Carrying in City Parks
• Ohio Supreme Court on Preemption
• Ohio Attorney General on Renewal 30 days After Permit Expiration
• Ohio Court of Appeals on Castle Doctrine in Another Individual’s Vehicle
• US Court of Appeals on Open Carrying Being Legal in Ohio

Carrying of firearms in airport terminals is not allowed, but carrying on parking lots should be okay. The time period for the validity of an individual’s training is 3 years. Residency is established once the Driver’s License is obtained.

The minimum age for obtaining a carry permit in Ohio is 21 years old.

Laws on State Reciprocity: 109.69
Laws on Using Firearms: 2923.11 thru 2923.25
Laws on Using Deadly Force: 2305.4
Laws on Using Knives: 2923.11, 2923.12. and 2923.20
Laws on Using Body Armor: 2941.1411

There are no state laws found regarding the use of chemical and electric weapons, but cities are allowed to regulate possession and use of such.

2923.16. An “unloaded firearm” refers to any of the following:
a. There is no ammunition, magazine or speed loader inserted into the firearm
b. A magazine or speed loader with ammunition that is kept in a compartment inside the vehicle that is not readily accessible

A “container that provides complete and separate enclosure” refers to any of the following:
c. A box or case
d. A compartment that can be closed with a button, zipper, hook, buckle or fastener and needs to be opened to access what’s inside

An ammunition that is carried in stripper-clips is not considered as an ammunition loaded into a speed loader or magazine.

State of Emergency
3761.16. Areas Threatened By Riot May Be Cordoned Off.
During a riot, individuals may be prohibited by the chief administrative officer to enter the affected areas except when carrying out a necessary and legitimate pursuit. The sale, possession, purchase and transportation of firearms and other dangerous weapons may be prohibited as well on the affected areas.

Note: Federal laws may become applicable if the state of Ohio is receiving financial assistance from the federal government during a state of emergency. To know more about the laws for state of emergencies, check the US Code 42-5207.

The minimum age requirement to carry and transport a firearm in a vehicle within Ohio without the need for any type of permit is 21 years old.

Note: Some states are restrictive when it comes to carrying and transporting of firearms that they only allow transporting to and from the gun shops, repair shops, shooting range, carrier’s own house, business or other property. Other states do not have restriction.

To know more about carrying and transporting handguns, check the “Traveling in a Vehicle with a Firearm without a STATE Permit” section above.

4/12/15 – Initial page created.