Jonah Patel
On March 2, 2022, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine received the Constitutional Carry Bill, Senate Bill 215, for his signature. The bill, which was passed by the House and Senate, allows Ohio residents to carry a concealed firearm without a permit or training. DeWine signed the bill into law on June 13, 2022, making Ohio the 23rd state to allow public conceal-carry without a license.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Bill Name | Senate Bill 215 |
| Bill Sponsor | Senator Terry Johnson |
| Bill Co-Sponsor | Senator Niraj Antani |
| Bill Supporters | National Rifle Association, Second Amendment advocates |
| Bill Opponents | Democrats, organizations representing police officers, anti-gun violence activists, public health researchers, Oregon District shooting survivor Dion Green, Ohio Fraternal Order of Police, Hamilton County Sheriff Charmaine McGuffey, Ohio Mayors Alliance |
| Bill Status | Passed in the House and Senate; Sent to Governor Mike DeWine for signature |
| Bill Details | Removes the requirement for a permit, training, and background checks to carry a concealed weapon; Eliminates penalties for motorists who fail to inform law enforcement about carrying concealed firearms |
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What You'll Learn
Governor Mike DeWine signs the bill into law
Governor Mike DeWine has signed the Ohio Constitutional Carry Bill into law. The bill, Senate Bill 215, permits Ohio residents to carry a concealed firearm without a permit. The bill applies to individuals aged 21 or above, who can carry a concealed gun unless prohibited by state or federal law.
DeWine's decision has been praised by the National Rifle Association's (NRA) Institute for Legislative Action, which thanked the governor for signing this "important bill protecting the Second Amendment in Ohio for the benefit of law-abiding individuals". The bill's signing has also been welcomed by proponents of the Second Amendment, who argue that it is their constitutional right to bear arms.
However, the bill has faced opposition from gun control advocates, Democrats, organisations representing police officers, anti-gun violence activists, and public health researchers. Opponents argue that the bill will increase the vulnerability of Ohioans and law enforcement officials to gun violence and that it removes important safeguards such as permitting, training, and background check requirements for carrying a concealed weapon.
Prior to signing the bill, DeWine had reviewed the legislation and noted his long-standing support for the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding citizens to keep and bear arms. He had also previously signed Ohio's "stand-your-ground" law. With the signing of the Constitutional Carry Bill, Ohio becomes the 23rd constitutional carry state in the US.
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Ohio becomes the 23rd constitutional carry state
Ohio has become the 23rd US state to pass a constitutional carry bill, allowing residents to carry a concealed firearm without a permit.
The bill, Senate Bill 215, was signed by Governor Mike DeWine, a Republican, and permits individuals aged 21 or over to carry a concealed gun unless prohibited by state or federal law. The bill also eliminates penalties for motorists who fail to inform law enforcement about carrying a concealed gun in their vehicle during traffic stops.
The legislation, often referred to as "permitless carry" or "constitutional carry", has been supported by Second Amendment advocates and the National Rifle Association (NRA). They argue that it is the constitutional right of citizens to bear arms, and that the bill allows residents to exercise this right without government red tape and delays.
However, the bill has faced opposition from Democrats, organisations representing police officers, anti-gun violence activists, and public health researchers. Opponents argue that the bill will increase the risk of gun violence in communities and create more danger for law enforcement officers. They have also criticised the removal of permitting, training, and background check requirements to carry a concealed weapon.
Prior to the bill, Ohio residents could obtain a concealed handgun license (CHL) by completing eight hours of firearms training and meeting other criteria. Now, Ohio joins other permitless carry states, including Arkansas, Iowa, Montana, Tennessee, Texas, and Utah.
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The bill removes the need for a permit or training
Ohio Governor Mike DeWine signed the Senate Bill 215, making Ohio the 23rd state to allow constitutional carry. The bill removes the need for a permit or training, allowing individuals aged 21 or above to carry a concealed gun unless prohibited by state or federal law. This means that Ohio residents can now carry a concealed firearm without a permit, as long as they are not prohibited by law from possessing a firearm.
The constitutional carry bill grants individuals the right to carry a gun without a permit, but it does not relieve them of the responsibility of firearms ownership. While a permit is no longer required, individuals are still accountable for their actions and must adhere to state gun laws. Proper training and knowledge of relevant gun laws are essential for responsible and lawful gun ownership, even in states with constitutional carry laws.
The passage of the constitutional carry bill in Ohio is part of a broader trend across the United States. As of 2024, over 50% of U.S. states have passed laws allowing for constitutional carry or permitless carry. This trend highlights the increasing support for the Second Amendment rights of citizens to keep and bear arms.
However, it is important to note that the specific laws and requirements can vary from state to state. For example, some states may have additional qualifications for individuals to meet before they can legally carry a firearm. Additionally, there may be restrictions on carrying firearms in certain locations or situations, such as in restaurants or bars that serve alcohol.
While the constitutional carry bill removes the need for a permit, individuals in Ohio and other states are still responsible for ensuring they are complying with all applicable laws and regulations regarding firearms ownership and carry. It is crucial for gun owners to stay informed about the specific laws and requirements in their respective states to ensure safe and legal gun ownership and use.
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The bill eliminates penalties for motorists who fail to disclose firearms
Ohio Governor Mike DeWine signed a bill that permits residents to carry a concealed firearm without a permit. Senate Bill 215 permits individuals aged 21 or above to carry a concealed gun unless prohibited by state or federal law. The bill also eliminates penalties for motorists who fail to disclose firearms.
Previously, drivers faced a first-degree misdemeanour, suspension of their concealed-handgun license, and a fine of $1,000 if they failed to inform law enforcement about carrying a concealed gun. The bill scraps these penalties, allowing motorists to not disclose concealed guns during traffic stops without punishment. However, drivers would still be required to inform law enforcement about a firearm in their vehicle if asked.
Supporters of the bill argue that it allows residents to exercise their Second Amendment right to carry guns without dealing with government red tape and delays. They claim that it is a political solution looking for a policy problem, and it increases, rather than reduces, tension between law enforcement and motorists.
Opponents of the bill, including the Ohio Fraternal Order of Police, Hamilton County Sheriff Charmaine McGuffey, and the Ohio Mayors Alliance, argue that it increases the vulnerability of Ohioans and law enforcement officials to gun violence. They also highlight the lack of a training requirement and the absence of mandatory background checks when purchasing firearms from private sellers. Despite these concerns, Governor DeWine signed the bill into law, making Ohio the 23rd constitutional carry state in the US.
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The bill faces opposition from Democrats and law enforcement
The Ohio Constitutional Carry Bill faced opposition from Democrats and law enforcement officials. State Senate Democrats opposed the legislation, with Sen. Cecil Thomas, a former police officer, arguing that the bill created problems that didn't exist and restricted police officers' ability to know whether a person they were dealing with was armed. He also objected to the lack of a training requirement and background checks when purchasing firearms from private sellers.
The bill was also opposed by the Ohio Fraternal Order of Police, Hamilton County Sheriff Charmaine McGuffey, and the Ohio Mayors Alliance. They argued that the bill would increase the vulnerability of Ohioans and law enforcement officials to gun violence.
In Pennsylvania, a similar constitutional carry bill was opposed by the Pennsylvania Chiefs of Police Association and State Rep. Nancy Guenst, a Democrat. Guenst disagreed with the bill on principle and felt that lawmakers were wasting their time debating it, given that Governor Wolf had already stated he would veto it.
Francis Wheatley, chief of the Upper Dublin Police Department in Montgomery County, also opposed permitless concealed carry from a public safety standpoint. He argued that when someone possesses a license to carry a concealed weapon, police officers who deal with the public are assured that the individual has met certain requirements.
While the Ohio Constitutional Carry Bill faced opposition from some Democrats and law enforcement officials, it's important to note that the issue of constitutional carry is not strictly along party lines. Some Democrat-led states have also repealed their concealed carry permit requirements, and there is support for the proposal across party lines in gun-friendly states.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine signed the constitutional carry bill, also known as Senate Bill 215, into law.
The constitutional carry bill allows Ohio residents to carry a concealed firearm without a permit.
Proponents of the bill argue that it is a citizen's constitutional right to bear arms without the need for a permit or license. They also claim that the bill simplifies existing laws and removes government red tape and delays.
Opponents of the bill, including Democrats, law enforcement organizations, anti-gun violence activists, and public health researchers, argue that it increases the risk of gun violence and creates vulnerabilities for Ohioans and law enforcement officials. They also criticize the lack of training and background check requirements.
The constitutional carry bill does not specifically address carrying firearms in vehicles. However, it eliminates penalties for motorists who fail to inform law enforcement about carrying concealed firearms during traffic stops.
