Ohio Concealed Carry Reciprocity Overview

11.7M

STATE

POPULATION

YES

CONSTITUTIONAL

CARRY

784K

LICENSES

ISSUED

38

RECIPROCATING

STATES

50

STATES

HONORED

21

MINIMUM

AGE TO CC

5

YEARS LICENSE

VALID

YES

STAND YOUR
GROUND

6.7%

LICENSE

PERCENTAGE

11.7M

STATE POPULATION

YES

CONSTITUTIONAL CARRY

784K

LICENSES ISSUED

38

RECIPROCATING STATES

50

STATES HONORED

21

MINIMUM AGE TO CC

5

YEARS LICENSE VALID

YES

STAND YOUR GROUND

6.7%

LICENSE PERCENTAGE

11.7M

STATE POPULATION

38

RECIPROCATING STATES

5

YEARS LICENSE VALID

YES

CONSTITUTIONAL CARRY

50

STATES HONORED

YES

STAND YOUR GROUND

784K

LICENSES ISSUED

21

MINIMUM AGE TO CC

6.7%

LICENSE PERCENTAGE


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Concealed Carry Weapons Permit 
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Concealed Carry Weapons Permit 
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Overview of Ohio Gun Laws

Ohio is relatively unrestrictive for individuals looking to obtain a conceal carry permit. You must be a resident aged 21 and have completed 8 hours of training to meet the qualification criteria.

If you work in Ohio but don’t reside there you can obtain a conceal carry permit and you can also carry a firearm with any valid out-of-state permit, even if there’s no reciprocity agreement with Ohio.

There’s an exemption for military who are posted in Ohio.

Ohio Gun Laws Quick Facts

Constitutional Carry?

✅ Yes - Ohio is considered a constitutional carry state.

Open Carry Permitted?

✅ Yes - Ohio allows for open carry within their state for any individual 18 years or older who's legally allowed to own a firearm.

Carry In Vehicle?

✅ Yes - Ohio allows for individuals concealed carry a firearm without an Ohio CHL, except for protected zones.

Carry In State Park?

✅ Yes - Ohio allows for concealed carry within state parks so long as you have an Ohio CHL. You may not enter buildings with your firearm on your person, nor are you allowed to discharge a concealed firearm within the state park area.

Carry In Restaurants?

✅ Yes - Ohio allows for concealed carry within restaurants and bars so long as you have an Ohio CHL. However, you cannot be under the influence of drugs or alcohol whatsoever.

No Weapon Sign Enforced?

✅ Yes - Ohio recognizes no weapons signs. The property owner has a right to prohibit individuals from entering their establishment with a firearm by posting a clear sign indicating their requests.

Must Notify Officer?

✅ Yes - Ohio does require individuals to tell LEO's that they're concealed carrying upon first interaction.

Ohio CCW Reciprocity List

States Honoring CCW

* Restricted Reciprocity with Ohio

States NOT Honoring CCW

Honors These States CCW Permits

How Reciprocity Works In Ohio

Ohio will automatically recognize a valid concealed carry permit from any other state. It is not necessary that there is a reciprocity agreement between the states for the permit to be recognized. The law also gives Ohio the right to enter into reciprocity agreements with other states.

Reciprocity Agreements In Ohio

Currently Ohio has entered into reciprocity agreements with 22 other states. There are 12 states that will not honor an Ohio permit. All the reciprocity agreements can be viewed at the Ohio Attorney Generals website.

Ohio: Where Is CCW Allowed?

Places Allowed

  • State parks
  • State and national forests
  • Road side rest areas
  • Vehicle
  • Airports non secure area
  • Day-care centers unless the day-care center has posted a “no-guns” sign
  • School premises if locked in a motor vehicle
  • Private aircraft
  • Business entities, property owners or public or private employers cannot ban anyone who has been issued a valid concealed handgun license from transporting or storing a firearm or ammunition when the items are locked in a person’s privately-owned motor vehicle on company property
  • All areas of the state – except those listed as off-limits.

Places Not Allowed

  • Police stations
  • Sheriffs’ offices
  • Highway Patrol posts
  • Premises controlled by BCI
  • Correctional institutions or other detention facilities
  • Airports secure areas
  • Facilities for the care of mentally ill persons
  • Courthouses or buildings in which a courtroom is located
  • Universities, unless locked in a motor vehicle
  • Colleges can decide for themselves if concealed carry is allowed
  • Government Bodies can decide for themselves if concealed carry is allowed
  • Places of worship, unless the place of worship permits otherwise
  • Child Day-Care Centers (Only If Posted)
  • Schools, but OK if locked in vehicle on school premises
  • Licensed Class D liquor permit premises, if you are consuming beer or intoxicating liquor or are under the influence
  • Any place where the carrying of firearms is prohibited by Federal Law.

Ohio: Conceal Carry Laws

Open Carry

Yes, open carry in Ohio is legal without any license.

Carry In Vehicle

Yes, without a concealed carry license you may not have a loaded handgun in the vehicle. Motorcycles fall under the definition of motor vehicles. As of September 30, 2011, firearms are no longer required to be carried in a holster, on the person while in a vehicle. (SB17) As of September 30, 2011, firearms are no longer required to be in a closed case, bag, box, or other container that is in plain sight and that has a lid, a cover, or a closing mechanism. (SB17) As of September 30, 2011, firearms are no longer required to be securely encased by being stored in a closed glove compartment or vehicle console, or in a case that is locked. (SB17)

The Law 2923.16

Carry In State Parks

Yes, it is legal to carry in the following areas:

  • State Parks: YES Buildings are off limits
  • State/National Forests: YES Buildings are off limits
  • State Wildlife Management Areas: YES Buildings are off limits
  • Road Side Rest Areas: YES

Carry In Restaurants

Yes

“Yes” or “No” states if you can carry in a restaurant that serves alcohol. Some restaurants may be posted with “NO GUN” signs. Check with the staff if this means just the bar area. If we have indicated a “Yes” then it should be legal to have a meal without drinking alcohol. It is illegal too carry a firearm if you have been consuming Alcohol. If you have consumed alcohol you are not allowed the weapon on your person or in a vehicle. You will need a permit to carry a firearm in Class D liquor premises.

The Law Sec. 2923.121

Constitutional Carry

Yes, Ohio is now considered a constitutional carry state.

No Weapon Signs Enforced

Yes, Ohio gun laws give “No Weapons” signs the force of law. There are legal penalties for entering a private property or business that has posted these signs.

Must Notify Officer

Yes, Ohio gun laws say – “If a person is stopped for a law enforcement purpose and is carrying a concealed handgun as a CCW licensee, whether in a motor vehicle or not, he shall promptly inform the law enforcement officer that he is carrying a concealed handgun. If in a vehicle, the licensee shall remain in the vehicle and keep his hands in plain sight at all times and have no contact with the firearm.”

The Law Sec. 2923.16

Additional Resources

Ohio Concealed Carry Laws
Ohio Open Carry Laws
Ohio Gun Permit Laws


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