Key points and common questions regarding the new laws and how they effect you.
By Dean Rieck, Buckeye Firearms Association
Generally referred to as “permitless carry” or “constitutional carry,” Senate Bill 215, which is now in effect, makes several key changes to Ohio’s concealed carry laws:
Here are some other points to keep in mind:
Common Questions:
I applied for an Ohio CHL and was denied. Can I now carry without a license?
No. Nothing changes regarding who can legally carry a concealed handgun. You must still be a “qualifying” adult, meaning you are at least 21 years of age, not prohibited from possessing a firearm under state or federal law, not a fugitive from justice, etc. Refer to the concealed carry manual available at the Ohio Attorney General’s website for more complete information.
Can I carry without a license in other states?
That depends on the laws of other states. Ohio law applies to Ohio only. When traveling to other states, you will need to abide by the laws of each state you’re in. References include the Traveler’s Guide to the Firearm Laws of the Fifty States, a book we sell at BuckeyeFirearms.org, and HandgunLaw.us, a website that provides information on the carry laws of each state.
Can non-residents carry concealed without a license?
Yes. While the rules for carrying a concealed handgun remain the same with or without a license, there will be no residency requirement when this law goes into effect. Someone who is otherwise a “qualifying” adult may carry with or without a license whether they reside in Ohio or another state.
Reprinted with permission from BuckeyeFirearms.org. If you own a firearms or simply wish to stay informed of your rights, we strongly recommend that you visit their website and consider joining. If you join, they send you a pocket copy of the United States Constitution – how cool is that?!
www.BuckeyeFirearms.org
Buckeye Firearms Association (BFA) is a 501(c)(4) social welfare organization that serves as the flagship of our grassroots efforts to defend and advance the right of more than 4 million Ohio citizens to own and use firearms for all legal activities, including self-defense, hunting, competition, and recreation.