Legality of Open Carry:
It is 100% legal to openly carry firearms in the state of Ohio as long as you follow the rules and procedures that go along with it. Below we will tell you exactly how we know that this is a legal activity and where we found this information.
This is taken straight from the Ohio Attorney General’s Handbook on CCW Laws (page 23 under reciprocity)-
"Open Carry. Ohio’s concealed carry laws do not regulate “open” carry of firearms. If you openly carry, use caution. The open carry of firearms is a legal activity in Ohio."
The next bit of information was taken from the online version of the Ohio Revised Code-
9.68 Right to bear arms - challenge to law.
(A) The individual right to keep and bear arms, being a fundamental individual right that predates the United States Constitution and Ohio Constitution, and being a constitutionally protected right in every part of Ohio, the general assembly finds the need to provide uniform laws throughout the state regulating the ownership, possession, purchase, other acquisition, transport, storage, carrying, sale, or other transfer of firearms, their components, and their ammunition. Except as specifically provided by the United States Constitution, Ohio Constitution, state law, or federal law, a person, without further license, permission, restriction, delay, or process, may own, possess, purchase, sell, transfer, transport, store, or keep any firearm, part of a firearm, its components, and its ammunition.
(B) In addition to any other relief provided, the court shall award costs and reasonable attorney fees to any person, group, or entity that prevails in a challenge to an ordinance, rule, or regulation as being in conflict with this section.
(C) As used in this section:
(1) The possession, transporting, or carrying of firearms, their components, or their ammunition include, but are not limited to, the possession, transporting, or carrying, openly or concealed on a person’s person or concealed ready at hand, of firearms, their components, or their ammunition.
(2) “Firearm” has the same meaning as in section 2923.11 of the Revised Code.
(D) This section does not apply to either of the following:
(1) A zoning ordinance that regulates or prohibits the commercial sale of firearms, firearm components, or ammunition for firearms in areas zoned for residential or agricultural uses;
(2) A zoning ordinance that specifies the hours of operation or the geographic areas where the commercial sale of firearms, firearm components, or ammunition for firearms may occur, provided that the zoning ordinance is consistent with zoning ordinances for other retail establishments in the same geographic area and does not result in a de facto prohibition of the commercial sale of firearms, firearm components, or ammunition for firearms in areas zoned for commercial, retail, or industrial uses.
Effective Date:
03-14-2007
Where can I NOT open carry without a CHL?
Open Carry is your natural right in Ohio, but there are a few limitations if you do not have a valid CHL (Concealed Handgun License). Remember that NOTHING prevents you from getting a CHL and still open carrying! When you get your license, it is YOUR CHOICE if you carry open or concealed!
1. You cannot carry your firearm into a Class D Liquor establishment (somewhere that serves liquor for consumption on premises) without having a valid CHL. For more info please CLICK HERE.
2. You cannot carry your firearm within 1000 feet of a k-12 school safety zone without a valid CHL.
3. You cannot have a loaded handgun in your vehicle without a valid CHL and you can never carry your long guns loaded in a vehicle. For information and laws regarding transporting your firearm in Ohio, please CLICK HERE.
1. You cannot carry your firearm into a Class D Liquor establishment (somewhere that serves liquor for consumption on premises) without having a valid CHL. For more info please CLICK HERE.
2. You cannot carry your firearm within 1000 feet of a k-12 school safety zone without a valid CHL.
3. You cannot have a loaded handgun in your vehicle without a valid CHL and you can never carry your long guns loaded in a vehicle. For information and laws regarding transporting your firearm in Ohio, please CLICK HERE.
What is considered concealed?
In 1969 the Court was asked to define ‘concealed’ and decided used the definition given by the Court of Appeals of Maryland, in Shipley v. State. The Shipley Court said that a weapon was concealed so situated as not to be discernible by ordinary observation by those near enough to see it if it were not concealed. It specified that absolute invisibility was not required, stating that ordinary observation did not extend to an unusually careful, thorough, or detailed search. Read the full case by clicking here!
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Ohio Carry Inc- founded 2012.
While Ohio Carry strives to bring you the most up-to-date laws and facts, nothing within this website is to be considered legal advice. Consult a lawyer when any firearm issue or law is of concern. Ohio Carry is not responsible for any legal or civil action taken against anyone as a result of any topic on this site or any of its affiliated sites. We make every effort to provide correct information, however, the legal landscape surrounding firearm laws and carry is fluid and subject to a myriad of political influences in Ohio. Therefore, any and all information you gain from this site should be independently verified!
