Prohibited from Buying
A person is ineligible to purchase or own a firearm in Ohio if:[1]
- The person is a fugitive from justice;
- The person is under indictment for or has been convicted of any felony offense of violence or has been adjudicated a delinquent child for the commission of an offense that, if committed by an adult, would have been a felony offense of violence;
- The person is under indictment for or has been convicted of any felony offense involving the illegal possession, use, sale, administration, distribution, or trafficking of any drug of abuse or has been adjudicated a delinquent child for the commission of an offense that, if committed by an adult, would have been a felony offense involving the illegal possession, use, sale, administration, distribution, or trafficking in any drug of abuse;
- The person has a drug dependency, is in danger of drug dependence, or has chronic alcoholism or;
- The person is under adjudication of mental incompetence, has been committed to a mental institution, has been found by a court to be a person with a mental illness subject to a court order, or is an involuntary patient other than one who is a patient only for purposes of observation.
Registering a Firearm
Any formal state registry of privately owned firearms is prohibited in Ohio.[2]
Concealed Carry
How to Apply
An individual has to be at least 21 years old to apply for a License to Carry a Concealed Handgun.
- Complete a State of Ohio Application for a License to Carry a Concealed Handgun.
- Attach the following items: a color passport-style photo of the applicant taken no more than 30 days before applying; proof of competency with a firearm;[4] a set of fingerprints;[5] proof of Alien Registration Number (if not a U.S. citizen); and evidence of employment in Ohio (if not a resident of Ohio).
- Apply to the applicant’s local county sheriff department or the sheriff department of a county adjacent to the applicant’s county of residence or employment.
- Pay the application fee.[6]
- Pass a federal criminal background check.
- The sheriff will approve or deny the application within 45 days of receiving it.[7]
Reciprocity
Ohio recognizes concealed carry licenses in any state that has one.[8]