Ohio Gun Control Laws

Ohio Revised Code (O.R.C.), Title 29 Crimes-Procedure, Sections 2923.11 through 2923.30, Weapons Control

• Carrying a concealed handgun without a license - Section 2923.111
• Carrying concealed weapons; affirmative defenses - Section 2923.12
• Possession of firearm in liquor permit premises - Section 2923.121
• Conveyance or possession of deadly weapon or dangerous ordnance in school safety zone - Section 2923.122
• Illegal conveyance, possession, or control of deadly weapon or dangerous ordnance in a courthouse - Section 2923.123
• Application; license - Section 2923.125
• License expiration; prohibited places; private employers; immunity; signage; reciprocity - Section 2923.126
• Having weapons while under disability - Section 2923.13
• Possession of a deadly weapon while under detention - Section 2923.131
• Using (or carrying) weapons while intoxicated - Section 2923.15
• Improper handling of a firearm in a motor vehicle - Section 2923.16
• Unlawful possession of dangerous ordnance - Section 2923.17
• Unlawful transactions in weapons - Section 2923.20
• Defacing identification marks of a firearm; possessing a defaced firearm - Section 2923.201
• Improper furnishing firearms to a minor - Section 2923.21

The following firearms are illegal in Ohio, with limited exceptions that include law enforcement, military, and those licensed under the National Firearms Act:

• Automatic firearm (firearm designed or specially adapted to fire a succession of cartridges with a single function of the trigger)
• Sawed-off firearm
• Zip gun
• Defaced firearm (with the name of the manufacturer, model, manufacturer's serial number, or other mark of identification altered or removed)
• Any firearm and ammunition designed and manufactured for military purposes
• Any firearm muffler or suppressor
• Any combination of parts that is intended by the owner for use in converting a firearm or device into a dangerous ordnance (See O.R.C. Section 2923.11K)

Ohio does not require a waiting period to purchase a firearm.

The following people may not own or possess a firearm under Ohio law:

• A fugitive from justice
• A person who is under indictment for or has been convicted of a violent felony offense or has been adjudicated a delinquent child for an offense that would be a violent felony offense if committed by an adult
• A person who is under indictment for or has been convicted of any felony drug offense or has been adjudicated a delinquent child for a drug offense that would be a felony if committed by an adult
• A person who is drug dependent, in danger of drug dependence, or has chronic alcoholism
• A person who is under adjudication of mental incompetence; has been committed to a mental institution; has been found by a court to be a mentally ill person subject to a court order; or is an involuntary patient other than one who is a patient only for purposes of observation

Federal law provides further categories of persons who cannot possess a firearm, including those convicted of misdemeanor domestic violence or under certain protection orders. (See 18 U.S.C. Section 922g)

No. Ohio does not require a license to own a firearm.

No. Ohio does not require a concealed carry license to carry a concealed handgun. However, there are location prohibitions.

Yes. Open carry of firearms is legal in Ohio. However, there are location prohibitions.

• Be at least 21 years of age
• Legally living in the U.S.
• Not be a fugitive from justice (no warrants)
• Not be under a felony indictment for or charged with a felony, a drug offense, or a misdemeanor offense of violence
• Have not been convicted of or plead guilty to a felony, a drug offense, an assault on a law enforcement officer, or any other misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment over one year, or have been adjudicated as a delinquent child for any such offenses
• Have not been convicted or pled guilty to domestic violence, or have been adjudicated as a delinquent child for any such offense
• Have not been convicted or pled guilty to a misdemeanor offense of violence in the last three years, or have been adjudicated as a delinquent child for any such offenses in that time frame
• Have not been convicted or pled guilty to two or more violations of assault or negligent assault within the last five years, or have been adjudicated as a delinquent child for any such offenses in that time frame
• Have not been convicted or pled guilty to a violation of resisting arrest within the last 10 years, or have been adjudicated as a delinquent child for any such offense in that time frame
• Have not been committed to any mental institution
• Are not under adjudication of mental incompetence
• Have not been found by a court to be a person with mental illness subject to court order
• Are not an involuntary patient (other than one only for observation)
• Are not currently subject to a civil protection order, a temporary protection order, or a protection order from another state
• Certify that you desire to carry a concealed firearm for defensive purposes while engaged in lawful activity
• Submit a competency certification related to gun training and/or information on firearms safety
• Not be subject to a suspension of a prior CHL
• Show proof of employment in Ohio if you reside in another state
• Certify that you are not an unlawful user or addicted to a controlled substance
• Not have been discharged from the armed forces under dishonorable conditions
• Certify that you have not renounced U.S. citizenship, if applicable
• Pass a criminal background check

Ohio has no specific prohibition against machine guns, but they would likely fall under Ohio's automatic firearm ban. Owning a machine gun also requires registration and compliance with federal law.

Ohio has a wide range of penalties for violating its gun control laws. A second conviction of some crimes can increase the severity of the crime. Here are some common offenses and penalties:

• Having weapons under disability (firearm prohibition) is a third-degree felony, punishable by nine to 36 months in prison, a fine of up to $10,000, or both.
• Using or carrying weapons while intoxicated is a first-degree misdemeanor, punishable by up to 180 days in jail, a fine of up to $1,000, or both.
• Unlawful possession of a dangerous ordnance is a fifth-degree felony, punishable by six to 12 months in prison, a fine of up to $2,500, or both.
• Unlawful transactions in weapons is most often a fourth-degree felony, punishable by six to 18 months in prison, a fine of up to $5,000, or both.
• Illegal possession of a firearm in a liquor permit premises or a courthouse is most often a fifth-degree felony, punishable by six to 12 months in prison, a fine of up to $2,500, or both.

• Under Ohio law, a school safety zone encompasses a school, school building, school premises, school activity, or school bus.
• Possessing a gun in a school safety zone is a fifth-degree felony, punishable by six to 12 months in prison, a fine of up to $2,500, or both. A second or subsequent offense is a fourth-degree felony, punishable by six to 18 months in prison, a fine of up to $5,000, or both.
• Illegal possession of an object indistinguishable from a firearm in a school safety zone is a first-degree misdemeanor, punishable by up to 180 days in jail, a fine of up to $1,000, or both. A second or subsequent offense is a fifth-degree felony, punishable by six to 12 months in prison, a fine of up to $2,500, or both.

No. Proposals for a red flag law gained some traction after a mass shooting in Dayton in 2019 that resulted in the deaths of nine persons and injury to 27 others. However, no bill became law.

No. Ohio does not regulate gun sales or transfers in private transactions to require a criminal background check.

Yes. Ohio adopted a Stand Your Ground law in 2021. It provides that a person claiming self-defense, defense of another, or defense of residence has no duty to retreat if they are in a place they are legally allowed to be before using appropriate force (including deadly force) in such defense. In evaluating the reasonableness of a person's belief in the necessary force to repel an attack, the trier of fact cannot consider the possibility of retreat as a factor.