Gun Laws in Ohio

Subject/Law	Long Guns	Hand Guns	Relevant Statutes	Notes
State permit required to purchase?	No	No
Firearm registration?	No	No
Assault weapon law?	No	No	O.R.C. 2923.11
Magazine capacity restriction?	No	No
Owner license required?	No	No
Permit required for concealed carry?	N/A	No	O.R.C. 2923.111 O.R.C. 2923.12 O.R.C. 2923.125	Ohio is a "shall issue" state for citizens and lawful permanent residents who are 21 years or older. Permitless carry took effect on June 13, 2022.
Permit required for open carry?	No	No	O.R.C. 2923.111 O.R.C. 2923.16	May carry openly without permit.
Castle Doctrine/Stand Your Ground law?	Yes	Yes	O.R.C. 2901.09
State preemption of local restrictions?	Yes	Yes	O.R.C. 9.68
NFA weapons restricted?	No	No	O.R.C. 2923.17
Shall certify?	Yes	Yes	O.R.C. 311.43	Shall certify within 45 days.
Peaceable Journey laws?	No	No
Background checks required for private sales?	No	No
Duty to inform?	No	No	O.R.C. 2923.12 O.R.C. 2923.16	If asked by Law Enforcement. Section 2923.12 (B)(1)
Purchase age restriction?	Yes	Yes	O.R.C. 2923.211(B)	In addition to federal law, state law prohibits sales of handguns to those under 21, including in private transactions.

Gun Laws by State: Ohio

Understanding Gun Laws in Ohio

Ohio's gun laws can be complex, but it's crucial for residents and visitors to understand them. This guide will provide a clear, easy-to-understand breakdown of the state's laws regarding firearms.

Permits and Registration

In Ohio, there is no requirement for a state permit to purchase either long guns or handguns. Additionally, there is no requirement for firearm registration for either type of gun. This means that Ohio residents can purchase firearms without needing to obtain a specific permit or register the firearm with the state.

Assault Weapon Laws and Magazine Capacity

Ohio does not have specific laws regarding assault weapons or magazine capacity for either long guns or handguns. The state follows the federal definition of an assault weapon, as outlined in O.R.C. 2923.11.

Carrying Firearms

Ohio is a "shall issue" state for citizens and lawful permanent residents who are 21 years or older. This means that the state must issue a concealed carry permit to applicants who meet the legal requirements. However, as of June 13, 2022, Ohio allows permitless carry, meaning that a permit is not required for concealed carry of handguns. Open carry of firearms is also permitted without a permit, as outlined in O.R.C. 2923.111 and O.R.C. 2923.16.

Castle Doctrine and Stand Your Ground Laws

Ohio has a Castle Doctrine and a Stand Your Ground law in place. This means that individuals have the right to use force, including deadly force, to protect themselves in their homes (Castle Doctrine) and anywhere they have a legal right to be (Stand Your Ground), as outlined in O.R.C. 2901.09.

State Preemption of Local Restrictions

Ohio law preempts local restrictions on firearms, as outlined in O.R.C. 9.68. This means that local governments cannot enact gun laws that are more restrictive than state law.

NFA Weapons

Ohio does not restrict NFA (National Firearms Act) weapons, which include items like machine guns, short-barreled rifles, and suppressors. However, these items are still subject to federal regulations.

Shall Certify

Ohio law requires that the state "shall certify" within 45 days the transfer of any firearm covered by the National Firearms Act, as outlined in O.R.C. 311.43.

Purchase Age Restriction

Ohio law restricts the purchase of handguns to those 21 years of age or older, including in private transactions, as outlined in O.R.C. 2923.211(B). This is in addition to federal law, which sets the minimum age for purchasing long guns at 18 and handguns at 21.

Remember, it's essential to stay informed about the laws in your state. If you have any questions about Ohio's gun laws, consider consulting with a legal professional.