Columbus, Ohio – A bill now heads to Gov. Mike DeWine for his consideration and possible signing into law after it passed following passage by both chambers of Ohio General Assembly. If this bill is signed into law, Ohio residents would be allowed to carry a concealed firearm without a permit.
An Ohio state senator said, “This is a great and historic day for the Second Amendment in Ohio.”
A handgun hidden for any legitimate purpose would be permitted under the proposed legislation if you are 21 years old and legally competent to carry a firearm. No license or other documentation would be required under this law.
“We are reviewing the bill, but I would note Governor DeWine has long supported the Second Amendment rights of law abiding citizens to keep and bear arms,” a spokesman for the Ohio Governor’s Office, Dan Tierney, said.
Ohio residents would still be able to get a concealed-weapons permit, but it would no longer be required.
When it was introduced in the General Assembly in the fall, the proposal, which provides for what some refer to as “Constitutional carry,” had unanimous approval in both chambers.
“It is I think notable that for the first time in Ohio history this bill, a version of it, has passed both chambers,” Ohio senator Niraj Antani said in December.
Bride Rose Sweeney, a state representative from Cleveland, has been critical of the House version of the bill, saying that the current rules for concealed carry are “bare minimum” and “not too burdensome.”
“Now you have a scenario where you walk up to a car where a guy doesn’t tell you and this guy shifts in his seat and you see his gun, it makes the dynamics of the traffic stop that much different,” Weinman told the Dispatch.
The Buckeye Firearms Association has expressed support of “Constitutional carry” legislation.
“We are at a historic moment in Ohio legislative history. This is the closest we’ve ever been to passing a bill to make the licensing process optional for concealed carry of a firearm,” the organization said in a statement.
If DeWine approves the law, Ohio would become the 22nd state to allow some kind of permitless carry, according to the Buckeye Firearms Association.
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