Simone Lawson
Ohio's Constitutional Carry law, also known as permitless carry, came into effect on June 13, 2022, allowing eligible Ohioans to carry a concealed handgun without a license, training, or background check. The law, which passed without Democratic support, removes several requirements for gun owners, including mandatory training, background checks, and the need to inform law enforcement officers about carrying a weapon. Ohio joins 21 other states in adopting constitutional carry laws, which supporters argue prioritises the constitutional right to bear arms. However, the law has faced criticism from law enforcement organisations and Democrats, especially in light of recent mass shootings.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Bill passed in the Senate | 15 December 2021 |
| Bill passed in the House | November 2021 |
| Governor | Mike DeWine |
| Signed into law | 13 June 2022 |
| Allows | Law-abiding Ohioans aged 21 or older to carry a concealed handgun without a license |
| Does not allow | People who would be denied a license to carry a concealed handgun |
| Does not affect | Licensing process for carrying a concealed handgun in other states |
| Does not apply to | Rifles and shotguns |
| Does not have | Residency requirement |
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What You'll Learn
- Ohio's 'Constitutional Carry' law went into effect on 13 June 2022
- The law allows eligible Ohioans to carry a concealed handgun without a license
- The bill passed without Democratic support and faced criticism from law enforcement
- Ohio is now the 22nd or 23rd state to allow 'permitless carry'
- The law does not apply to non-residents or people who would not qualify for a license
Ohio's 'Constitutional Carry' law went into effect on 13 June 2022
On 13 June 2022, Ohio's Constitutional Carry law, also known as SB 215, went into effect. The law allows eligible Ohio residents to carry a concealed handgun without a license, training, or background check. However, individuals who are ineligible to possess a firearm under state or federal law, such as convicted felons, are still prohibited from carrying a concealed weapon.
With the new law, Ohio became the 23rd state to allow permitless concealed carry. The legislation removed the previous requirement for gun owners in Ohio to complete eight hours of training, submit an application through their local sheriff's office, and pass a background check. While a permit is no longer mandatory, individuals can still choose to apply for one if they wish.
It is important to note that the Constitutional Carry law does not apply to "long guns," such as rifles and shotguns, and that carrying a concealed handgun into certain areas, such as government buildings, schools, and places of worship, remains illegal. Additionally, individuals carrying a concealed weapon are still subject to certain rules and restrictions, such as the requirement to obey all police orders and keep their hands in plain sight during an interaction with law enforcement.
The passage of the Constitutional Carry law in Ohio has sparked mixed reactions from lawmakers and the public. Some have expressed concerns, especially in light of recent mass shootings, while others have supported the law as a protection of Second Amendment rights.
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The law allows eligible Ohioans to carry a concealed handgun without a license
Ohio's "Constitutional Carry" law, also known as "permitless carry" legislation, allows eligible Ohioans to carry a concealed handgun without a license. This law came into effect on June 13, 2022, and applies to individuals aged 21 or older who are legally allowed to possess a firearm. It is important to note that this law does not apply to individuals who would be denied a license under the law, such as those with felony convictions or mental incompetence.
Under the new law, eligible individuals can carry a concealed handgun without undergoing training, completing a background check, or possessing a license. However, they are still required to follow certain rules and regulations. For example, when interacting with law enforcement, individuals must keep their hands in plain sight, not touch or reach for the weapon, and obey all police orders. Additionally, carrying a concealed handgun into government buildings, schools, places of worship, or businesses with signage prohibiting weapons remains illegal.
The "Constitutional Carry" law makes Ohio the 22nd or 23rd state to allow permitless concealed carry. While some have criticized the law, particularly in light of recent mass shootings, others argue that it aligns with the Second Amendment right to bear arms. Ohio gun laws have been steadily improving, and this new law adds to the state's existing "stand your ground" law, which removes the requirement for individuals to retreat before responding to a perceived threat with deadly force.
It is worth noting that Ohio's new law does not affect the licensing process, and individuals who travel outside of Ohio will still need to comply with the laws of the state they are visiting. While the law removes the requirement for a license to carry a concealed handgun in Ohio, individuals can still apply for a permit if they wish to carry their weapon in other states that do not recognize constitutional carry. As each state has its own laws regarding firearms, it is important for individuals to be aware of the specific regulations in the state they are visiting.
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The bill passed without Democratic support and faced criticism from law enforcement
Ohio's "Constitutional Carry" law, also known as "permitless carry", allows individuals to carry a concealed handgun without a license or training. The bill, which passed in the state's Senate on December 15, 2021, by a vote of 23-8, removes the requirement for a permitting process, making it easier for law-abiding citizens aged 21 and older to carry a concealed weapon. The Ohio House passed a similar bill in November 2021, and the final version of the bill was sent to Governor Mike DeWine, who signed it into law in June 2022.
While the bill has been supported by Republican lawmakers and gun rights advocates, it faced opposition from Democrats and law enforcement. The bill passed without Democratic support, and critics argued that it could lead to increased gun violence and make it easier for dangerous individuals to obtain firearms. Law enforcement officials expressed concern that the lack of training requirements could result in more accidental shootings and hinder their ability to respond to active shooter situations.
In the wake of recent mass shootings across the country, the timing of the bill's passage added to the controversy. Many Democrats and gun control advocates argued that the bill's passage was insensitive and irresponsible, given the national outcry for stronger gun control measures. They also highlighted the potential risks of allowing individuals to carry concealed weapons without proper training or permitting.
Despite the criticism, the bill's supporters argued that it upholds the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding citizens to keep and bear arms. They contended that similar laws in other states have not led to increased gun violence and that permitting processes can be cumbersome and restrictive for responsible gun owners. Additionally, they asserted that eliminating the permitting process would reduce bureaucracy and streamline the process of obtaining a firearm for those who are legally allowed to do so.
The passage of the bill highlights the ongoing debate around gun control in the United States. While some states are moving towards stricter gun regulations, others are embracing more permissive approaches, reflecting the deep divisions in public opinion on this issue. As the number of states adopting "constitutional carry" laws grows, the impact of these policies on public safety and gun violence will be closely watched.
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Ohio is now the 22nd or 23rd state to allow 'permitless carry'
Ohio has become the 22nd or 23rd state to allow "constitutional carry", also known as "permitless carry". The state's new law, which went into effect on June 13, 2022, allows individuals aged 21 and over who meet the requirements for a concealed carry license to carry a concealed handgun without actually having one. This means that law-abiding citizens who are legally allowed to possess a firearm can carry a handgun without going through a permitting process.
The Ohio State Senate passed the legislation with a 23-8 vote on December 15, 2021. Both the Ohio House and Senate have now passed separate but similar versions of the constitutional carry bill. The lawmakers must now agree on a final version to send to the governor, Mike DeWine, for signature. DeWine has long supported the Second Amendment rights of citizens to keep and bear arms, but he has also called for more restrictive gun laws in Ohio and expanded background checks for gun purchases.
The new law does not affect the licensing process, and individuals who travel outside of Ohio will still need a valid license to carry a concealed handgun in other states that do not recognise constitutional carry. It is important to note that the law does not apply to individuals who would be denied a license under the law. For example, individuals with felony convictions or those deemed mentally incompetent would not be eligible for a license and, therefore, cannot carry a concealed handgun under the new law.
Ohio is one of several states that have recently adopted constitutional carry laws, including Arkansas, Iowa, Montana, Tennessee, Texas, and Utah. With the passage of the new law, Ohio joins a growing number of states that allow permitless carry, solidifying its position as the 22nd or 23rd state to do so.
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The law does not apply to non-residents or people who would not qualify for a license
Ohio's "Constitutional Carry" law, also known as "permitless carry", came into effect on June 13, 2022. The law allows Ohio residents who are 21 or older and meet the requirements to possess a firearm to carry a concealed handgun without a license. However, it is important to note that the law does not apply to non-residents or individuals who would not qualify for a license.
The "Constitutional Carry" law removes the requirement for Ohio residents to undergo training, submit an application, or pass a background check to obtain a license for carrying a concealed handgun. While this law provides more flexibility for eligible individuals in Ohio to exercise their Second Amendment rights, it is crucial to understand that it does not apply to everyone.
Non-residents of Ohio who are visiting or travelling through the state are not covered by the "Constitutional Carry" law. This means that if a non-resident wishes to carry a concealed handgun in Ohio, they must comply with the state's existing laws and obtain a valid license. Non-residents should be mindful of Ohio's specific gun laws and any applicable reciprocity agreements with their state of residence.
Additionally, the "Constitutional Carry" law does not apply to individuals who would not qualify for a license under the previous laws. This includes individuals with certain restrictions or prohibitions that disqualify them from legally possessing a firearm. For example, those with violent or drug-related convictions, felony convictions, or mental incompetence may be prohibited from owning or carrying a firearm, and consequently, they would not be covered by the "Constitutional Carry" law.
It is important to emphasize that while the "Constitutional Carry" law offers more relaxed regulations for eligible Ohio residents, it does not grant universal permission for anyone to carry a concealed handgun. Individuals who fall outside the scope of this law, such as non-residents or those with disqualifying factors, must continue to adhere to the established licensing processes and requirements to ensure compliance with Ohio's gun laws.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, it passed on March 14, 2022, and came into effect on June 13, 2022.
The Ohio constitutional carry, also known as permitless carry, allows any person aged 21 or older, who meets the definition of a "qualifying adult", to carry a concealed handgun without a license.
Open carry refers to the practice of carrying a firearm that is visible to others, while concealed carry involves carrying a hidden firearm, typically under clothing or in a bag.
To qualify as a "qualifying adult" in Ohio, an individual must be 21 or older, legally allowed to possess a firearm, and not prohibited by law from carrying or possessing a handgun.
Ohio's self-defense laws presume that an individual has acted in self-defense or defense of another when applying deadly force if they are in a place where they have a legal right to be. The prosecution must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the accused did not act in self-defense.
