Ohio's new permitless carry law went into effect on June 13, and the Buckeye Firearms Association is providing advice for gun owners on how permitless carry will work in the state.
According to a press release, Senate Bill 215 allows for qualifying adults to carry a concealed handgun without a license in Ohio. Generally referred to as “permitless carry” or “constitutional carry,” the new bill went into effect on June 13, 2022.
The three primary changes to permitless carry law include the following:
1) Ohio’s concealed handgun license (CHL) is now optional, and gun owners are now able to carry a concealed weapon concealed without a license except in school zones where federal law still requires a CHL.
2) Gun owners will no longer be required to “promptly” inform law enforcement officials that they are carrying a concealed handgun and will only be required to inform if the officer asks if they are carrying a handgun.
3) Gun owners will no longer be required to carry the CHL with them.
The new bill only changed the permitless carry law and did not change who can carry. Only "qualifying" adults can carry a concealed handgun under the new law. Qualifying adults must be at least 21 years of age, cannot be prohibited from owning a firearm under state or federal laws, must not be a fugitive from justice, etc. The licensing system also remains the same.
The new bill only applies to the state of Ohio, and Ohio gun owners will still need to observe the gun laws of other states when traveling to those states while also adhering to federal laws.
Visitors can find more information and keep up to date with Ohio firearm regulations at the Buckeye Firearms Association website.
