Ohio Ccw License: Which States Can I Travel To?

Ohio's gun laws can be confusing, and it's important to understand them thoroughly to avoid accidentally violating any regulations. As of 2022, Ohio is a permitless carry state, meaning that individuals over 21 years old can carry a concealed handgun in public without a permit or background check. However, this does not mean that constitutional carry laws allow you to carry a concealed weapon everywhere. There are still laws in place that restrict where you can and cannot carry a concealed weapon. It's also important to note that Ohio has retained an optional concealed carry permit for those who wish to carry in states that require a permit and have reciprocity with Ohio. So, what states can you travel to with your Ohio CCW license? Several states recognize Ohio's resident concealed pistol license, including Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, and many more. However, some states do not recognize Ohio's license, including California, Connecticut, Hawaii, Illinois, and others. It's crucial to check the laws of the state you're visiting before travelling with your firearm. Additionally, if you're passing through a state that doesn't honor the Ohio CCW license, make sure your pistol is locked in a case, separate from ammunition, in the trunk of your vehicle.

Ohio's reciprocity agreements with other states

As of March 23, 2015, Ohio recognises the concealed handgun license of any non-resident with a validsection from any other state, regardless of whether there is a reciprocity agreement in place.

Ohio will honour permits issued by any state or jurisdiction, regardless of the age of the permit holder. An Ohio resident may carry a concealed handgun under the license of another state, as long as there is a valid reciprocity agreement with that state. However, an Ohio resident carrying the license of another state without a reciprocity agreement must obtain an Ohio license within 6 months of becoming an Ohio resident.

The following states honor permits from Ohio:

• Alabama (permitless carry, at least 19 years old)
• Arkansas (permitless carry, at least 18 years old)
• Idaho (permitless carry, at least 18 years old)
• Indiana (permitless carry, at least 18 years old)
• Montana (permitless carry, at least 18 years old)
• New Hampshire (permitless carry, at least 18 years old)
• North Dakota (permitless carry, at least 18 years old)
• South Dakota (permitless carry, at least 18 years old)
• Vermont (permitless carry, at least 18 years old)

The following states do not recognize Ohio resident concealed pistol licenses:

• California
• Connecticut
• Hawaii
• Illinois
• Massachusetts
• New Jersey
• New York
• Oregon
• Rhode Island
• Virginia

Carrying a concealed weapon in bars and restaurants

As of June 12, 2022, Ohio is a "permitless carry" state, meaning that any eligible Ohio resident can carry a concealed weapon without a permit. However, there are still restrictions on where you can carry a concealed weapon.

Other Restrictions

There are several other places where carrying a concealed weapon is prohibited, even with a license. These include:

• Police stations
• Sheriff's offices
• Highway patrol posts
• Premises controlled by BCI
• Correctional institutions or other detention facilities
• Airport terminals or airplanes beyond the checkpoint
• Facilities for the care of mentally ill persons
• Courthouses or buildings with a courtroom
• Universities, unless specifically permitted
• Places of worship, unless the place of worship permits otherwise
• Government facilities that are not used primarily as a shelter, restroom, parking facility, or rest facility
• School safety zones (including schools, school buildings, school premises, school activities, and school buses)

Carrying a concealed weapon in your vehicle

In Ohio, you may transport a loaded concealed handgun in a motor vehicle without a CHL, except in school zones. This also applies to motorcycles. However, you cannot carry a concealed weapon in your vehicle if you are under the influence of drugs or alcohol. If you are stopped by law enforcement during a traffic stop, you are not required to inform the officer that you have a weapon, but if they ask, you must answer truthfully. Violations are first-degree misdemeanours.

If you do not have a CCW permit, you can legally transport an unloaded firearm in your vehicle, as long as it is:

• In a closed package, box, or case
• In a compartment that can only be reached by leaving the vehicle
• In plain sight and secured in a rack or holder made for that purpose

Violations of this provision are fourth-degree felonies, punishable by up to 30 days in jail and a fine of $250.

Concealed carry licensing requirements

Ohio is a "shall-issue" state, meaning that concealed handgun licenses are issued at the county level by a county sheriff. Since June 12, 2022, Ohio has been a "permitless carry" state, meaning that individuals over the age of 21 are no longer required to obtain a license to carry a concealed handgun. However, the state still offers an optional concealed carry permit for those who wish to carry in states that require a permit and grant reciprocity to Ohio permits.

To obtain a concealed carry permit in Ohio, applicants must meet the following requirements:

• Be a resident of Ohio for at least 45 days and a resident of the county in which they are applying or the adjacent county for at least 30 days.
• Be at least 21 years of age.
• Not be a fugitive from justice.
• Not be under indictment for, charged with, convicted of, or pled guilty to a felony.
• Not be under indictment for or charged with a misdemeanor offense of violence, and within the three years prior to the application, not have been convicted of or pled guilty to a misdemeanor offense of violence (with certain exceptions).
• Not be under indictment for, charged with, convicted of, or pled guilty to a drug offense.
• Within the five years prior to the application, not have been convicted of, pled guilty to, or been adjudicated a delinquent child for committing two or more acts of assault or negligent assault with a dangerous ordnance or deadly weapon.
• Within the ten years prior to the application, not have been convicted of, pled guilty to, or been adjudicated a delinquent child for resisting arrest.
• Not have been adjudicated as a mental defective, committed to a mental institution, or found by a court to be mentally ill, and not be under adjudication of mental incompetence or an involuntary patient at any hospital for mental health treatment.
• Not be subject to a protection order in any state.
• Certify that they desire to carry a handgun for the defense of self or family while engaged in lawful activity.
• Submit a certificate of completion of a firearms safety training course.
• Certify that they have read the firearms safety pamphlet prepared by the Ohio Peace Officer Training Commission.
• Not be subject to suspension of a license to carry a concealed handgun for violating certain state concealed weapons laws.

The firearms safety training course must include at least 12 hours of training in the safe handling and use of a firearm, including at least 10 hours of training in the following areas:

• The ability to name, explain, and demonstrate the rules for safe handling of a handgun and proper storage practices for handguns and ammunition.
• The ability to demonstrate and explain how to handle ammunition in a safe manner.
• The ability to demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and attitude necessary to shoot a handgun in a safe manner.
• Gun-handling training.

The course must also include at least two hours of in-person training, including range time and live-fire training. The applicant must also pass a competency examination that includes a written section and a physical demonstration of competence in the use, safe handling, and storage of a handgun.

Ohio has reciprocity agreements with many other states, allowing residents of those states to carry a concealed handgun in Ohio with a valid permit. However, Ohio residents with a concealed carry permit should check the laws of the state they are visiting before travelling with their firearms, as some states do not recognize Ohio's permit.

Places where carrying a concealed weapon is forbidden

Ohio is a "shall-issue" state, meaning that concealed handgun licenses are issued at the county level by a county sheriff. While open carry and concealed carry are legal without a permit for individuals over the age of 21, there are still some places where carrying a concealed weapon is forbidden, even with a permit. These places include:

• School safety zones, including schools, school buildings, school premises, school activities, and school buses.
• Child daycare centers and family daycare homes, if posted.
• Premises owned or leased by public or private colleges, universities, or other institutions of higher education.
• Police stations, sheriff's offices, state highway patrol stations, and premises controlled by the Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI).
• Courthouses or other buildings/structures in which a courtroom is located.
• State capitol buildings.
• State correctional institutions, jails, workhouses, or other detention facilities.
• Secure areas of airport passenger terminals.
• State institutions for the care and treatment of mentally ill persons or state institutions for the care, treatment, and training of persons with intellectual disabilities.
• Premises that sell liquor or open-air arenas with a Class D liquor permit, if consuming alcohol or under the influence.
• Churches, synagogues, mosques, or other places of worship, unless the place of worship permits otherwise.
• Property (including vehicles) owned by private employers that prohibit firearms.
• State government buildings, unless permitted by the governing body.
• Any place where carrying firearms is prohibited by federal or state law or regulation.

Additionally, it is worth noting that while Ohio does not require a permit to carry a concealed weapon, there are still requirements that must be met to legally do so. These requirements include being 21 years of age or older, residing in Ohio for a minimum of 45 days, not being under indictment or convicted of a felony, and not being a fugitive from justice, among others.

Frequently asked questions