Gun Laws Ohio

Overview: Ohio’s gun laws are relatively permissive. As of June 13, 2022, individuals aged 21 and older who are legally permitted to possess firearms can carry concealed handguns without a permit or training, a practice known as “permitless” or “constitutional” carry . Open carry is also legal without a permit. However, firearms are prohibited in certain locations, including schools, government buildings, and private properties that post “No Guns” signs . While Ohio does not require background checks for private firearm sales, it offers an optional concealed handgun license for those seeking reciprocity with other states . The state does not impose magazine capacity limits or require firearm registration. Ohio law preempts local firearm regulations, ensuring uniformity across the state .

Ohio Gun Laws
Carry Information
Legal & Resources

Question	Answer
Does Ohio have an Assault Weapons Ban?	🚫 No. Ohio does not ban assault-style firearms or high-capacity magazines.
Are background checks required for private gun sales?	🚫 No. Ohio does not require background checks for private transfers.
Are background checks required through FFL dealers?	✅ Yes. Federal law mandates background checks through licensed dealers.
Is Ohio a Stand Your Ground state?	✅ Yes. Ohio law includes Stand Your Ground protections, no duty to retreat in areas where you legally are.
What kind of restrictions does Ohio have?	ℹ️ Permitless open and concealed carry for individuals 21+ (constitutional carry effective June 2022) ℹ️ No waiting period ℹ️ No magazine capacity limits
Does Ohio have any gun storage laws?	⚠️ No general storage law, but unsafe storage that allows a child access may be punishable.
Can you buy firearms in bulk in Ohio?	✅ Yes. No state limits on the number of firearms you can purchase.
Does Ohio have a red flag law?	🚫 No. Ohio does not currently have Extreme Risk Protection Orders.
Age to purchase firearms?	ℹ️ 18+ for long guns, ℹ️ 21+ for handguns from dealers.
Do I have to register my guns in Ohio?	🚫 No. Ohio does not require firearm registration.
Do I need a permit to purchase a handgun?	🚫 No. No permit is required to buy a handgun.
Does Ohio have a waiting period for firearms?	🚫 No. There is no state-imposed waiting period.

Does Ohio have an Assault Weapons Ban?

🚫 No. Ohio does not ban assault-style firearms or high-capacity magazines.

Are background checks required for private gun sales?

🚫 No. Ohio does not require background checks for private transfers.

Are background checks required through FFL dealers?

✅ Yes. Federal law mandates background checks through licensed dealers.

Is Ohio a Stand Your Ground state?

✅ Yes. Ohio law includes Stand Your Ground protections, no duty to retreat in areas where you legally are.

What kind of restrictions does Ohio have?

ℹ️ Permitless open and concealed carry for individuals 21+ (constitutional carry effective June 2022)
ℹ️ No waiting period
ℹ️ No magazine capacity limits

Does Ohio have any gun storage laws?

⚠️ No general storage law, but unsafe storage that allows a child access may be punishable.

Can you buy firearms in bulk in Ohio?

✅ Yes. No state limits on the number of firearms you can purchase.

Does Ohio have a red flag law?

🚫 No. Ohio does not currently have Extreme Risk Protection Orders.

Age to purchase firearms?

ℹ️ 18+ for long guns,
ℹ️ 21+ for handguns from dealers.

Do I have to register my guns in Ohio?

🚫 No. Ohio does not require firearm registration.

Do I need a permit to purchase a handgun?

🚫 No. No permit is required to buy a handgun.

Does Ohio have a waiting period for firearms?

🚫 No. There is no state-imposed waiting period.

Question	Answer
Does Ohio allow Open Carry?	✅ Legal without a permit for anyone 21 and older.
Does Ohio allow Concealed Carry?	✅ Legal without a permit for individuals 21+ (constitutional carry since June 13, 2022).
Non‑Lethal Weapons?	✅ Pepper spray and stun guns are legal without a permit.
Places allowed to carry?	✅ Permitted in public spaces, vehicles, and private property with permission.
Places not allowed to carry?	🚫 Schools, courthouses, government buildings, bars, stadiums, and posted “no firearms” areas.
States honored?	✅ OH honors CHLs from states with formal reciprocity agreements.
States reciprocate?	✅ Ohio CHLs are recognized in: Alabama Arizona Arkansas Florida Georgia Idaho Indiana Kentucky Louisiana Michigan Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska New Hampshire North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma South Carolina Tennessee Texas Utah Virginia West Virginia Wisconsin ⚠️ Some states have residency or permit-type conditions. Always verify before travel.
Permit duration & renewal?	ℹ️ 5 Years.
Can you conceal anything other than a handgun?	🚫 No. Carry privileges apply only to handguns.
Permit Licensure?	ℹ️ Optional. Ohio issues Concealed Handgun Licenses (CHL), but they’re not required for in-state carry. Concealed carry license (also known as a Concealed Handgun License or CHL) is issued by the county sheriff.

Does Ohio allow Open Carry?

✅ Legal without a permit for anyone 21 and older.

Does Ohio allow Concealed Carry?

✅ Legal without a permit for individuals 21+ (constitutional carry since June 13, 2022).

Non‑Lethal Weapons?

✅ Pepper spray and stun guns are legal without a permit.

Places allowed to carry?

✅ Permitted in public spaces, vehicles, and private property with permission.

Places not allowed to carry?

🚫 Schools, courthouses, government buildings, bars, stadiums, and posted “no firearms” areas.

States honored?

✅ OH honors CHLs from states with formal reciprocity agreements.

States reciprocate?

✅ Ohio CHLs are recognized in:

Alabama
Arizona
Arkansas
Florida
Georgia
Idaho
Indiana
Kentucky

Louisiana
Michigan
Mississippi
Missouri
Montana
Nebraska
New Hampshire
North Dakota

Ohio
Oklahoma
South Carolina
Tennessee
Texas
Utah
Virginia
West Virginia

Wisconsin

⚠️ Some states have residency or permit-type conditions. Always verify before travel.

Permit duration & renewal?

ℹ️ 5 Years.

Can you conceal anything other than a handgun?

🚫 No. Carry privileges apply only to handguns.

Permit Licensure?

ℹ️ Optional. Ohio issues Concealed Handgun Licenses (CHL), but they’re not required for in-state carry.

Concealed carry license (also known as a Concealed Handgun License or CHL) is issued by the county sheriff.

Resources	Links
Official Licensing & State Info	Ohio Attorney General – Concealed Carry Info Ohio Revised Code §2923.122 – Concealed Carry Permit HandgunLaw.us – Ohio Firearms Summary (PDF)
Gun Laws & Legal References	ORC §2923.121 – Carrying Concealed Weapons ORC §2923.03 – Definitions & Regulation of Weapons
Training & Certification	NRA Instructor Directory – Ohio
Gun Safety & Education	Project ChildSafe – Safety Kits Be SMART – Safe Storage for Families