What to know about Ohio's new permitless concealed carry law

Cameron Knight, Cincinnati Enquirer
·2 min read

Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine signed a bill into law Monday doing away with the permitting restrictions to carrying a concealed firearm in the state.

Senate Bill 215

Senate Bill 215, which will go into effect in about three months, states people 21 or older can carry a concealed gun without a permit if they are legally allowed to own the gun. Restrictions on carrying guns in certain places like courthouses remain in place.

Amy Johnson of Mt. Auburn holds an unloaded 44 Magnum during a concealed carry weapon (CCW) class at New Prospect Church in Roselawn. Saturday, Feb. 8, 2020. 'We need to learn as women.. know I need knowledge on gun safety and gun laws'. Johnson said.
Amy Johnson of Mt. Auburn holds an unloaded 44 Magnum during a concealed carry weapon (CCW) class at New Prospect Church in Roselawn. Saturday, Feb. 8, 2020. 'We need to learn as women.. know I need knowledge on gun safety and gun laws'. Johnson said.

Ohio law previously required eight hours of training, including live-fire practice, to obtain a concealed carry permit. A background check was required.

The new law also eliminates the requirement that people inform a police officer if they are carrying a weapon. An officer can still ask, and lying to the officer about carrying a weapon is a misdemeanor.

Permitless carry Ohio joins Kentucky

Permitless or "constitutional" carry laws have been gaining traction around the country.

Kentucky passed a similar law in 2019. At the time, it was the 15th state to pass such a law. On Monday, Ohio became the 23rd, according to the Buckeye Firearms Association, a gun rights organization that supported the legislation.

Rob Sexton, the organization's legislative affairs director, said the law in both Ohio and Kentucky applies to out-of-state residents, so those crossing the river will soon be operating under a similar set of laws.

Indiana could join soon

Indiana does not have a permitless carry law, but the legislature passed a bill this month. It has been sent to the governor to sign. Unlike Ohio and Kentucky's law which apply to those 21 and up, Indiana's proposed law would apply to 18 and up.

Ohio legalized concealed carry in 2004. The state doesn't consider the total number of active license holders a public record, but an Enquirer analysis from 2019 estimated that about 673,000 or 1 in 17 Ohioans has a concealed carry permit.

Ohio has established reciprocity agreements with other states to have its permit recognized. Ohio residents who would like to carry a concealed weapon in states without a permitless law, such as Indiana, would still have to obtain an Ohio permit.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Ohio joins constitutional carry states 2022: What to know