Effect of Ohio Concealed Carry Law on Public and Private Organizations

The Ohio General Assembly recently passed Amended Substitute House Bill 12, which authorizes county sheriffs to issue licenses to Ohioans to carry concealed handguns. Any Ohio resident may apply for a license if they are 21 years of age or older, satisfy a criminal background check, and pay the licensing fee. If the license is obtained, a concealed weapon may be carried anywhere that is not specifically excluded by law, codified in R.C. § 2923.12 et. seq., including private businesses, public buildings, and day care centers.

The law enables private businesses to prohibit the presence of any firearms in the workplace or on the company's property. In order to take advantage of this exception, businesses are required to post signs in conspicuous locations containing a statement in substantially the following form: "Unless authorized by law, pursuant to the Ohio Revised Code, no person shall knowingly possess, have under the person's control, convey, or attempt to convey a deadly weapon or dangerous ordnance onto these premises." Unless such a sign is posted by private businesses, anyone with a valid license is legally permitted to bring concealed weapons on their premises.

In contrast, possession of a firearm, even with a valid license, is prohibited in public-owned buildings, libraries, day-care centers, in schools and at school-related functions. The law, however, still requires these organizations to post firearm prohibition signs that contain the precise language cited above. Thus, even though these entities enjoy blanket protection, further compliance with this statutory obligation is required to be given such protection.

For more information concerning Ohio's Concealed Weapon Law, please contact

Shelly R. LaSalvia:

srlasa@climacolaw.com