State Laws · OH
Ohio Gun Laws
Effective as of June 13, 2022 (SB 215). Laws change — you should check for updates or consult with a licensed firearms trainer in your state before acting on this information.
Concealed & Open Carry
Ohio adopted constitutional carry under SB 215, effective June 13, 2022. Adults aged 21 and older who are legally eligible to possess firearms may carry concealed without a permit. Open carry is legal for anyone 18 or older who can legally possess a firearm. Ohio continues to issue the Concealed Handgun License (CHL) through county sheriffs for reciprocity purposes.
Key statute: Ohio Revised Code § 2923.111 — as added by SB 215, provides that a person who is not prohibited from possessing a firearm may carry a concealed handgun without a license. § 2923.125 — governs CHL issuance.
Duty to Inform
SB 215 eliminated the affirmative duty to inform law enforcement of a concealed handgun during a traffic stop. However, a person must still truthfully respond if directly asked by an officer whether they are carrying a concealed handgun.
Who Cannot Carry
Ohio's prohibited persons include: convicted felons, fugitives from justice, persons under indictment for a felony, persons adjudicated as mentally defective or committed to a mental institution, unlawful users of controlled substances, persons convicted of domestic violence offenses, persons subject to protection orders, and persons dishonorably discharged from the military.
Prohibited Locations
Ohio prohibits carry in: police stations, sheriff offices, and highway patrol posts; courthouses; government buildings with security screening; school safety zones (grounds of a school or preschool, with vehicle exceptions); colleges and universities (governed by institutional policy); and any establishment with a posted prohibition. Ohio has broad preemption preventing most local firearms ordinances under ORC § 9.68.
Purchase Requirements
No permit is required to purchase any firearm. All FFL sales require a federal NICS background check. Private sales do not require a background check. There is no waiting period, no state firearms registry, and no state assault weapons ban.
Citations
Ohio Revised Code Chapter 2923 (conspiracy, attempt, and complicity; weapons control); SB 215 (134th General Assembly, 2022).
Look up statutes at Ohio Legislature →Legal disclaimer
This summary is for informational purposes only. Firearms laws change frequently. Always verify current statutes and consult a qualified attorney before making legal decisions.
Sources & official resources
Federal firearms laws
ATF.gov — Laws: Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives →Ohio statutes
Ohio Legislature →This link goes to Ohio's legislative website. To find specific firearms statutes, search for terms like "concealed carry," "firearms," or "weapons permit" in the site's search function.