For the purpose of this chapter, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
ACTIVE DUTY. Has the same meaning as defined in 10 U.S.C. § 101.
ALIEN REGISTRATION NUMBER. The number issued by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services Agency that is located on the alien’s permanent resident card and may also be commonly referred to as the “USCIS number” or the “alien number”.
AUTOMATIC FIREARM. Any firearm designed or specially adapted to fire a succession of cartridges with a single function of the trigger.
BALLISTIC KNIFE. A knife with a detachable blade that is propelled by a spring-operated mechanism.
CONCEALED HANDGUN LICENSE or LICENSE TO CARRY A CONCEALED HANDGUN.
(1) Means, subject to division (2) of this definition, a license or temporary emergency license to carry a concealed handgun issued under R.C. § 2923.125 or R.C. § 2923.1213 or a license to carry a concealed handgun issued by another state with which the Attorney General has entered into a reciprocity agreement under R.C. § 109.69.
(2) A reference in any provision of this Code to a concealed handgun license issued under R.C. § 2923.125 or a license to carry a concealed handgun issued under R.C. § 2923.125 means only a license of the type that is specified in that section. A reference in any provision of this Code to a concealed handgun license issued under R.C. § 2923.1213, a license to carry a concealed handgun issued under R.C. § 2923.1213, or a license to carry a concealed handgun on a temporary emergency basis means only a license of the type that is specified in R.C. § 2923.1213. A reference in any provision of this Code to a concealed handgun license issued by another state or a license to carry a concealed handgun issued by another state means only a license issued by another state with which the Attorney General has entered into a reciprocity agreement under R.C. § 109.69.
DANGEROUS ORDNANCE.
(1) Any of the following, except as provided in division (2) of this definition:
(a) Any automatic or sawed-off firearm, zip-gun, or ballistic knife.
(b) Any explosive device or incendiary device.
(c) Nitroglycerin, nitrocellulose, nitrostarch, PETN, cyclonite, TNT, picric acid, and other high explosives; amatol, tritonal, tetrytol, pentolite, pecretol, cyclotol, and other high explosive compositions; plastic explosives; dynamite, blasting gelatin, gelatin dynamite, sensitized ammonium nitrate, liquid-oxygen blasting explosives, blasting powder, and other blasting agents; and any other explosive substance having sufficient brisance or power to be particularly suitable for use as a military explosive, or for use in mining, quarrying, excavating, or demolitions.
(d) Any firearm, rocket launcher, mortar, artillery piece, grenade, mine, bomb, torpedo, or similar weapon, designed and manufactured for military purposes, and the ammunition for that weapon.
(e) Any firearm muffler or suppressor.
(f) Any combination of parts that is intended by the owner for use in converting any firearm or other device into a dangerous ordnance.
(2) The term does not include any of the following:
(a) Any firearm, including a military weapon and the ammunition for that weapon, and regardless of its actual age, that employs a percussion cap or other obsolete ignition system, or that is designed and safe for use only with black powder.
(b) Any pistol, rifle, or shotgun, designed or suitable for sporting purposes, including a military weapon as issued or as modified, and the ammunition for that weapon, unless the firearm is an automatic or sawed-off firearm.
(c) Any cannon or other artillery piece that, regardless of its actual age, is of a type in accepted use prior to 1887, has no mechanical, hydraulic, pneumatic, or other system for absorbing recoil and returning the tube into battery without displacing the carriage, and is designed and safe for use only with black powder.
(d) Black powder, priming quills, and percussion caps possessed and lawfully used to fire a cannon of a type defined in division (2)(c) of this definition during displays, celebrations, organized matches or shoots, and target practice, and smokeless and black powder, primers, and percussion caps possessed and lawfully used as a propellant or ignition device in small-arms or small-arms ammunition.
(e) Dangerous ordnance that is inoperable or inert and cannot readily be rendered operable or activated, and that is kept as a trophy, souvenir, curio, or museum piece.
(f) Any device that is expressly excepted from the definition of a destructive device pursuant to the Gun Control Act of 1968, 18 U.S.C. § 921(a)(4), as amended, and regulations issued under that act.
(g) Any firearm with an overall length of at least 26 inches that is approved for sale by the Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives under the “Gun Control Act of 1968”, 82 Stat. 1213, 18 U.S.C. § 921(a)(3), but that is found by the Bureau not to be regulated under the “National Firearms Act”, 68A Stat. 725 (1934), 26 U.S.C. § 5845(a).
DEADLY WEAPON. Any instrument, device, or thing capable of inflicting death, and designed or specially adapted for use as a weapon, or possessed, carried, or used as a weapon.
EXPLOSIVE. Any chemical compound, mixture, or device, the primary or common purpose of which is to function by explosion. The term includes all materials that have been classified as division 1.1, division 1.2, division 1.3, or division 1.4 explosives by the United States Department of Transportation in its regulations and includes but is not limited to dynamite, black powder, pellet powders, initiating explosives, blasting caps, electric blasting caps, safety fuses, fuse igniters, squibs, cordeau detonant fuses, instantaneous fuses, and igniter cords and igniters. The term does not include “fireworks”, as defined in R.C. § 3743.01, or any substance or material otherwise meeting the definition of explosive set forth in this section that is manufactured, sold, possessed, transported, stored, or used in any activity described in R.C. § 3743.80, provided the activity is conducted in accordance with all applicable laws, rules, and regulations, including but not limited to the provisions of R.C. § 3743.80 and the rules of the Fire Marshal adopted pursuant to R.C. § 3737.82.
EXPLOSIVE DEVICE. Any device designed or specially adapted to cause physical harm to persons or property by means of an explosion, and consisting of an explosive substance or agency and a means to detonate it. The term includes without limitation any bomb, any explosive demolition device, any blasting cap or detonator containing an explosive charge, and any pressure vessel that has been knowingly tampered with or arranged so as to explode.
FIREARM.
(1) Any deadly weapon capable of expelling or propelling one or more projectiles by the action of an explosive or combustible propellant. The term includes an unloaded firearm, and any firearm that is inoperable but that can readily be rendered operable.
(2) When determining whether a firearm is capable of expelling or propelling one or more projectiles by the action of an explosive or combustible propellant, the trier of fact may rely upon circumstantial evidence, including but not limited to the representations and actions of the individual exercising control over the firearm.
HANDGUN. Any of the following:
(1) Any firearm that has a short stock and is designed to be held and fired by the use of a single hand;
(2) Any combination of parts from which a firearm of a type described in division (1) of this definition can be assembled.
INCENDIARY DEVICE. Any firebomb, and any device designed or specially adapted to cause physical harm to persons or property by means of fire, and consisting of an incendiary substance or agent and a means to ignite it.
MISDEMEANOR PUNISHABLE BY IMPRISONMENT FOR A TERM EXCEEDING ONE YEAR. The phrase does not include any of the following:
(1) Any federal or state offense pertaining to antitrust violations, unfair trade practices, restraints of trade, or other similar offenses relating to the regulation of business practices;
(2) Any misdemeanor offense punishable by a term of imprisonment of two years or less.
SAWED-OFF FIREARM. A shotgun with a barrel less than 18 inches long, or a rifle with a barrel less than 16 inches long, or a shotgun or rifle less than 26 inches long overall. “Sawed-off firearm” does not include any firearm with an overall length of at least 26 inches that is approved for sale by the Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives under the “Gun Control Act of 1968”, 82 Stat. 1213, 18 U.S.C. § 921(a)(3), but that is found by the Bureau not to be regulated under the “National Firearms Act”, 68A Stat. 725 (1934), 26 U.S.C. § 5845(a).
SEMI-AUTOMATIC FIREARM. Any firearm designed or specially adapted to fire a single cartridge and automatically chamber a succeeding cartridge ready to fire, with a single function of the trigger.
VALID CONCEALED HANDGUN LICENSE or VALID LICENSE TO CARRY A CONCEALED HANDGUN. A concealed handgun license that is currently valid, that is not under a suspension under R.C. § 2923.128(A)(1), under R.C. § 2923.1213, or under a suspension provision of the state other than this state in which the license was issued, and that has not been revoked under R.C. § 2923.128(B)(1), under R.C. § 2923.1213, or under a revocation provision of the state other than this state in which the license was issued.
ZIP-GUN. Any of the following:
(1) Any firearm of crude and extemporized manufacture.
(2) Any device, including without limitation a starter’s pistol, not designed as a firearm, but that is specially adapted for use as a firearm.
(3) Any industrial tool, signaling device, or safety device, not designed as a firearm, but that as designed is capable of use as such, when possessed, carried, or used as a firearm.
(R.C. § 2923.11) (Rev. 2020)
(A) No person shall knowingly carry or have, concealed on the person’s person or concealed ready at hand, any of the following:
(1) A deadly weapon other than a handgun;
(2) A handgun other than a dangerous ordnance;
(3) A dangerous ordnance.
(B) No person who has been issued a concealed handgun license shall do any of the following:
(1) If the person is stopped for a law enforcement purpose and is carrying a concealed handgun, before or at the time a law enforcement officer asks if the person is carrying a concealed handgun, knowingly fail to disclose that the person then is carrying a concealed handgun, provided that it is not a violation of this division if the person fails to disclose that fact to an officer during the stop and the person already has notified another officer of that fact during the same stop;
(2) If the person is stopped for a law enforcement purpose and is carrying a concealed handgun, knowingly fail to keep the person’s hands in plain sight at any time after any law enforcement officer begins approaching the person while stopped and before the law enforcement officer leaves, unless the failure is pursuant to and in accordance with directions given by a law enforcement officer;
(3) If the person is stopped for a law enforcement purpose, if the person is carrying a concealed handgun, and if the person is approached by any law enforcement officer while stopped, knowingly remove or attempt to remove the loaded handgun from the holster, pocket, or other place in which the person is carrying it, knowingly grasp or hold the loaded handgun, or knowingly have contact with the loaded handgun by touching it with the person’s hands or fingers at any time after the law enforcement officer begins approaching and before the law enforcement officer leaves, unless the person removes, attempts to remove, grasps, holds, or has contact with the loaded handgun pursuant to and in accordance with directions given by the law enforcement officer;
(4) If the person is stopped for a law enforcement purpose and is carrying a concealed handgun, knowingly disregard or fail to comply with any lawful order of any law enforcement officer given while the person is stopped, including but not limited to a specific order to the person to keep the person’s hands in plain sight.
(C) (1) This section does not apply to any of the following:
(a) An officer, agent, or employee of this or any other state or the United States, or to a law enforcement officer, who is authorized to carry concealed weapons or dangerous ordnance or is authorized to carry handguns and is acting within the scope of the officer’s, agent’s, or employee’s duties;
(b) Any person who is employed in this state, who is authorized to carry concealed weapons or dangerous ordnance or is authorized to carry handguns, and who is subject to and in compliance with the requirements of R.C. § 109.801, unless the appointing authority of the person has expressly specified that the exemption provided in this division (C)(1)(b) does not apply to the person;
(c) A person’s transportation or storage of a firearm, other than a firearm described in R.C. § 2923.11(G) to (M), in a motor vehicle for any lawful purpose if the firearm is not on the actor’s person;
(d) A person’s storage or possession of a firearm, other than a firearm described in R.C. § 2923.11(G) to (M), in the actor’s own home for any lawful purpose.
(2) Division (A)(2) of this section does not apply to any person who has been issued a concealed handgun license that is valid at the time of the alleged carrying or possession of a handgun or who, at the time of the alleged carrying or possession of a handgun, is an active duty member of the armed forces of the United States and is carrying a valid military identification card and documentation of successful completion of firearms training that meets or exceeds the training requirements described in R.C. § 2923.125(G)(1), unless the person knowingly is in a place described in R.C. § 2923.126(B).
(D) It is an affirmative defense to a charge under division (A)(1) of this section of carrying or having control of a weapon other than a handgun and other than a dangerous ordnance, that the actor was not otherwise prohibited by law from having the weapon, and that any of the following applies:
(1) The weapon was carried or kept ready at hand by the actor for defensive purposes, while the actor was engaged in or was going to or from the actor’s lawful business or occupation, which business or occupation was of a character or was necessarily carried on in a manner or at a time or place as to render the actor particularly susceptible to criminal attack, such as would justify a prudent person in going armed.
(2) The weapon was carried or kept ready at hand by the actor for defensive purposes, while the actor was engaged in a lawful activity and had reasonable cause to fear a criminal attack upon the actor, a member of the actor’s family, or the actor’s home, such as would justify a prudent person in going armed.
(3) The weapon was carried or kept ready at hand by the actor for any lawful purpose and while in the actor’s own home.
(E) (1) No person who is charged with a violation of this section shall be required to obtain a concealed handgun license as a condition for the dismissal of the charge.
(2) If a person is convicted of, was convicted of, pleads guilty to, or has pleaded guilty to a violation of division (B)(1) of this section as it existed prior to June 13, 2022, the person may file an application under R.C. § 2953.35 requesting the expungement of the record of conviction.
(F) (1) Whoever violates this section is guilty of carrying concealed weapons. Except as otherwise provided in this division or divisions (F)(2), (F)(6), and (F)(7) of this section, carrying concealed weapons in violation of division (A) of this section is a misdemeanor of the first degree. Except as otherwise provided in this division or divisions (F)(2), (F)(6), and (F)(7) of this section, if the offender previously has been convicted of a violation of this section or any substantially equivalent state law or municipal ordinance or of any offense of violence, if the weapon involved is a firearm that is either loaded or for which the offender has ammunition ready at hand, or if the weapon involved is dangerous ordnance, carrying concealed weapons in violation of division (A) of this section is a felony to be prosecuted under appropriate state law. Except as otherwise provided in divisions (F)(2), (F)(6), and (F)(7) of this section, if the offense is committed aboard an aircraft, or with purpose to carry a concealed weapon aboard an aircraft, regardless of the weapon involved, carrying concealed weapons in violation of division (A) of this section is a felony to be prosecuted under appropriate state law.
(2) A person shall not be arrested for a violation of division (A)(2) of this section solely because the person does not promptly produce a valid concealed handgun license. If a person is arrested for a violation of division (A)(2) of this section and is convicted of or pleads guilty to the violation, the offender shall be punished as follows:
(a) The offender shall be guilty of a minor misdemeanor if both of the following apply:
1. Within 10 days after the arrest, the offender presents a concealed handgun license, which license was valid at the time of the arrest to the law enforcement agency that employs the arresting officer.
2. At the time of the arrest, the offender was not knowingly in a place described in R.C. § 2923.126(B).
(b) The offender shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and shall be fined $500 if all of the following apply:
1. The offender previously had been issued a concealed handgun license, and that license expired within the two years immediately preceding the arrest.
2. Within 45 days after the arrest, the offender presents a concealed handgun license to the law enforcement agency that employed the arresting officer, and the offender waives in writing the offender’s right to a speedy trial on the charge of the violation that is provided in R.C. § 2945.71.
3. At the time of the commission of the offense, the offender was not knowingly in a place described in R.C. § 2923.126(B).
(c) If divisions (F)(2)(a) and (F)(2)(b) and (F)(6) of this section do not apply, the offender shall be punished under division (F)(1) or (F)(7) of this section.
(3) Carrying concealed weapons in violation of division (B)(1) of this section is a misdemeanor of the second degree.
(4) Carrying concealed weapons in violation of division (B)(2) or (B)(4) of this section is a misdemeanor of the first degree or, if the offender previously has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to a violation of division (B)(2) or (B)(4) of this section or any substantially equivalent state law or municipal ordinance, a felony to be prosecuted under appropriate state law. In addition to any other penalty or sanction imposed for a misdemeanor violation of division (B)(2) or (B)(4) of this section, the offender’s concealed handgun license shall be suspended pursuant to R.C. § 2923.128(A)(2).
(5) Carrying concealed weapons in violation of division (B)(3) of this section is a felony to be prosecuted under appropriate state law.
(6) If a person being arrested for a violation of division (A)(2) of this section is an active duty m ember of the armed forces of the United States and is carrying a valid military identification card and documentation of successful completion of firearms training that meets or exceeds the training requirements described in R.C. § 2923.125(G)(1), and if at the time of the violation the person was not knowingly in a place described in R.C. 2923.126(B), the officer shall not arrest the person for a violation of that division. If the person is not able to promptly produce a valid military identification card and documentation of successful completion of firearms training that meets or exceeds the training requirements described in R.C. § 2923.125(G)(1) and if the person is not in a place described in R.C. § 2923.126(B), the officer shall issue a citation and the offender shall be assessed a civil penalty of not more than $500. The citation shall be automatically dismissed and the civil penalty shall not be assessed if both of the following apply:
(a) Within ten days after the issuance of the citation, the offender presents a valid military identification card and documentation of successful completion of firearms training that meets or exceeds the training requirements described in R.C. § 2923.125(G)(1), which were both valid at the time of the issuance of the citation to the law enforcement agency that employs the citing officer.
(b) At the time of the citation, the offender was not knowingly in a place described in R.C. § 2923.126(B).
(7) If a person being arrested for a violation of division (A)(2) of this section is knowingly in a place described in R.C. § 2923.126(B)(5) and is not authorized to carry a handgun or have a handgun concealed on the person’s person or concealed ready at hand under that division, the penalty shall be as follows:
(a) Except as otherwise provided in this division, if the person produces a valid concealed handgun license within ten days after the arrest and has not previously been convicted or pleaded guilty to a violation of division (A)(2) of this section or any substantially equivalent state law or municipal ordinance, the person is guilty of a minor misdemeanor;
(b) Except as otherwise provided in this division, if the person has previously been convicted of or pleaded guilty to a violation of division (A)(2) of this section or any substantially equivalent state law or municipal ordinance, the person is guilty of a misdemeanor of the fourth degree;
(c) Except as otherwise provided in this division, if the person has previously been convicted of or pleaded guilty to two violations of division (A)(2) of this section or any substantially equivalent state law or municipal ordinance, the person is guilty of a misdemeanor of the third degree;
(d) Except as otherwise provided in this division, if the person has previously been convicted of or pleaded guilty to three or more violations of division (A)(2) of this section or any substantially equivalent state law or municipal ordinance, or convicted of or pleaded guilty to any offense of violence, if the weapon involved is a firearm that is either loaded or for which the offender has ammunition ready at hand, or if the weapon involved is a dangerous ordnance, the person is guilty of a misdemeanor of the second degree.
(G) If a law enforcement officer stops a person to question the person regarding a possible violation of this section, for a traffic stop, or for any other law enforcement purpose, if the person surrenders a firearm to the officer, either voluntarily or pursuant to a request or demand of the officer, and if the officer does not charge the person with a violation of this section or arrest the person for any offense, the person is not otherwise prohibited by law from possessing the firearm, and the firearm is not contraband, the officer shall return the firearm to the person at the termination of the stop. If a court orders a law enforcement officer to return a firearm to a person pursuant to the requirement set forth in this division, R.C. § 2923.163(B) applies.
(H) For purposes of this section, “deadly weapon” or “weapon” does not include any knife, razor, or cutting instrument if the instrument was not used as a weapon.
(R.C. § 2923.12) (Rev. 2024)
Statutory reference:Carrying concealed handguns, licensing through county sheriff, see R.C. §§ 2923.124 et seq.Concealed carry by a qualifying adult, see R.C. § 2923.111Conveyance or possession of deadly weapons or dangerous ordnance on school premises, felony offense, see R.C. § 2923.122Conveyance, possession, or control of deadly weapon or dangerous ordinance in a courthouse, felony offense, see R.C. § 2923.123Possession of deadly weapon while under detention, felony offense, see R.C. § 2923.131Possession of firearm in liquor permit premises, felony offense, see R.C. § 2923.121(A) No person, while under the influence of alcohol or any drug of abuse, shall carry or use any firearm or dangerous ordnance.
(B) Whoever violates this section is guilty of using weapons while intoxicated, a misdemeanor of the first degree.
(R.C. § 2923.15)
(A) No person shall knowingly discharge a firearm while in or on a motor vehicle.
(B) No person shall knowingly transport or have a loaded firearm in a motor vehicle in such a manner that the firearm is accessible to the operator or any passenger without leaving the vehicle.
(C) No person shall knowingly transport or have a firearm in a motor vehicle, unless the person may lawfully possess that firearm under applicable law of this state or the United States, the firearm is unloaded, and the firearm is carried in one of the following ways:
(1) In a closed package, box, or case.
(2) In a compartment that can be reached only by leaving the vehicle.
(3) In plain sight and secured in a rack or holder made for the purpose.
(4) If the firearm is at least 24 inches in overall length as measured from the muzzle to the part of the stock furthest from the muzzle and if the barrel is at least 18 inches in length, either in plain sight with the action open or the weapon stripped, or, if the firearm is of a type on which the action will not stay open or which cannot easily be stripped, in plain sight.
(D) No person shall knowingly transport or have a loaded handgun in a motor vehicle if, at the time of that transportation or possession, any of the following applies:
(1) The person is under the influence of alcohol, a drug of abuse, or a combination of them.
(2) The person’s whole blood, blood serum or plasma, breath, or urine contains a concentration of alcohol, a listed controlled substance, or a listed metabolite of a controlled substance prohibited for persons operating a vehicle, as specified in R.C. § 4511.19(A), regardless of whether the person at the time of the transportation or possession as described in this division is the operator of or a passenger in the motor vehicle.
(E) No person who has been issued a concealed handgun license or who is an active duty member of the armed forces of the United States and is carrying a valid military identification card and documentation of successful completion of firearms training that meets or exceeds the training requirements described in R.C. § 2923.125(G)(1), who is the driver or an occupant of a motor vehicle that is stopped as a result of a traffic stop or a stop for another law enforcement purpose or is the driver or an occupant of a commercial motor vehicle that is stopped by an employee of the motor carrier enforcement unit for the purposes defined in R.C. § 5503.34, and who is transporting or has a loaded handgun in the motor vehicle or commercial motor vehicle in any manner, shall do any of the following:
(1) Before or at the time a law enforcement officer asks if the person is carrying a concealed handgun, knowingly fail to disclose that the person then possesses or has a loaded handgun in the motor vehicle, provided that it is not a violation of this division if the person fails to disclose that fact to an officer during the stop and the person already has notified another officer of that fact during the same stop;
(2) Before or at the time an employee of the motor carrier enforcement unit asks if the person is carrying a concealed handgun, knowingly fail to disclose that the person then possesses or has a loaded handgun in the commercial motor vehicle, provided that it is not a violation of this division if the person fails to disclose that fact to an employee of the unit during the stop and the person already has notified another employee of the unit of that fact during the same stop;
(3) Knowingly fail to remain in the motor vehicle while stopped, or knowingly fail to keep the person’s hands in plain sight at any time after any law enforcement officer begins approaching the person while stopped and before the law enforcement officer leaves, unless the failure is pursuant to and in accordance with directions given by a law enforcement officer;
(4) Knowingly have contact with the loaded handgun by touching it with the person’s hands or fingers in the motor vehicle at any time after the law enforcement officer begins approaching and before the law enforcement officer leaves, unless the person has contact with the loaded handgun pursuant to and in accordance with directions given by the law enforcement officer.
(5) Knowingly disregard or fail to comply with any lawful order of any law enforcement officer given while the motor vehicle is stopped, including but not limited to a specific order to the person to keep the person’s hands in plain sight.
(F) (1) Divisions (A), (B), (C), and (E) of this section do not apply to any of the following:
(a) An officer, agent, or employee of this or any other state or the United States, or a law enforcement officer, when authorized to carry or have loaded or accessible firearms in motor vehicles and acting within the scope of the officer’s, agent’s, or employee’s duties;
(b) Any person who is employed in this state, who is authorized to carry or have loaded or accessible firearms in motor vehicles, and who is subject to and in compliance with the requirements of R.C. § 109.801, unless the appointing authority of the person has expressly specified that the exemption provided in this division (F)(1)(b) does not apply to the person.
(2) Division (A) of this section does not apply to a person if all of the following circumstances apply:
(a) The person discharges a firearm from a motor vehicle at a coyote or groundhog, the discharge is not during the deer gun hunting season as set by the Chief of the Division of Wildlife of the Department of Natural Resources, and the discharge at the coyote or groundhog, but for the operation of this section, is lawful.
(b) The motor vehicle from which the person discharges the firearm is on real property that is located in an unincorporated area of a township and that is either zoned for agriculture or is used for agriculture.
(c) The person owns the real property described in division (F)(2)(b) of this section, is the spouse or a child of another person who owns that real property, is a tenant of another person who owns that real property, or is the spouse or a child of a tenant of another person who owns that real property.
(d) The person does not discharge the firearm in any of the following manners:
1. While under the influence of alcohol, a drug of abuse, or alcohol and a drug of abuse;
2. In the direction of a street, highway or other public or private property used by the public for vehicular traffic or parking;
3. At or into an occupied structure that is a permanent or temporary habitation;
4. In the commission of any violation of law, including but not limited to a felony that includes, as an essential element, purposely or knowingly causing or attempting to cause the death of or physical harm to another and that was committed by discharging a firearm from a motor vehicle.
(3) Division (A) of this section does not apply to a person if all of the following apply:
(a) The person possesses a valid all- purpose vehicle permit issued under R.C. § 1533.103 by the Chief of the Division of Wildlife.
(b) The person discharges a firearm at a wild quadruped or game bird as defined in R.C. § 1531.01 during the open hunting season for the applicable wild quadruped or game bird.
(c) The person discharges a firearm from a stationary all-purpose vehicle as defined in R.C. § 1531.01 from private or publicly owned lands or from a motor vehicle that is parked on a road that is owned or administered by the Division of Wildlife.
(d) The person does not discharge the firearm in any of the following manners:
1. While under the influence of alcohol, a drug of abuse, or alcohol and a drug of abuse;
2. In the direction of a street, a highway, or other public or private property that is used by the public for vehicular traffic or parking;
3. At or into an occupied structure that is a permanent or temporary habitation;
4. In the commission of any violation of law, including but not limited to a felony that includes, as an essential element, purposely or knowingly causing or attempting to cause the death of or physical harm to another and that was committed by discharging a firearm from a motor vehicle.
(4) Divisions (B) and (C) of this section do not apply to a person if all of the following circumstances apply:
(a) At the time of the alleged violation of either of those divisions, the person is the operator of or a passenger in a motor vehicle.
(b) The motor vehicle is on real property that is located in an unincorporated area of a township and that is either zoned for agriculture or is used for agriculture.
(c) The person owns the real property described in division (F)(4)(b) of this section, is the spouse or a child of another person who owns that real property, is a tenant of another person who owns that real property, or is the spouse or a child of a tenant of another person who owns that real property.
(d) The person, prior to arriving at the real property described in division (F)(4)(b) of this section, did not transport or possess a firearm in the motor vehicle in a manner prohibited by division (B) or (C) of this section while the motor vehicle was being operated on a street, highway or other public or private property used by the public for vehicular traffic or parking.
(5) Divisions (B) and (C) of this section do not apply to a person who transports or possesses a handgun in a motor vehicle if, at the time of that transportation or possession, both of the following apply:
(a) The person transporting or possessing the handgun has been issued a concealed handgun license that is valid at the time in question or the person is an active duty member of the armed forces of the United States and is carrying a valid military identification card and documentation of successful completion of firearms training that meets or exceeds the training requirements described in R.C. § 2923.125(G)(1).
(b) The person transporting or possessing the handgun is not knowingly in a place described in R.C. § 2923.126(B).
(6) Divisions (B) and (C) of this section do not apply to a person if all of the following apply:
(a) The person possesses a valid all- purpose vehicle permit issued under R.C. § 1533.103 by the Chief of the Division of Wildlife.
(b) The person is on or in an all-purpose vehicle as defined in R.C. § 1531.01 or a motor vehicle during the open hunting season for a wild quadruped or game bird.
(c) The person is on or in an all-purpose vehicle as defined in R.C. § 1531.01 on private or publicly owned lands or on or in a motor vehicle that is parked on a road that is owned or administered by the Division of Wildlife.
(G) (1) The affirmative defenses authorized in R.C. § 2923.12(D)(1) and (D)(2) are affirmative defenses to a charge under division (B) or (C) of this section that involves a firearm other than a handgun.
(2) It is an affirmative defense to a charge under division (B) or (C) of this section of improperly handling firearms in a motor vehicle that the actor transported or had the firearm in the motor vehicle for any lawful purpose and while the motor vehicle was on the actor’s own property, provided that this affirmative defense is not available unless the person, immediately prior to arriving at the actor’s own property, did not transport or possess the firearm in a motor vehicle in a manner prohibited by division (B) or (C) of this section while the motor vehicle was being operated on a street, highway, or other public or private property used by the public for vehicular traffic.
(H) (1) No person who is charged with a violation of division (B), (C), or (D) of this section shall be required to obtain a concealed handgun license as a condition for the dismissal of the charge.
(2) (a) If a person is convicted of, was convicted of, pleads guilty to, or has pleaded guilty to a violation of division (E) of this section as it existed prior to September 30, 2011, and the conduct that was the basis of the violation no longer would be a violation of division (E) of this section on or after September 30, 2011, or if a person is convicted of, was convicted of, pleads guilty to, or has pleaded guilty to a violation of division (E)(1) or (E)(2) of this section as it existed prior to June 13, 2022, the person may file an application under R.C. § 2953.35 requesting the expungement of the record of conviction.
(b) If a person is convicted of, was convicted of, pleads guilty to, or has pleaded guilty to a violation of division (B) or (C) of this section as the division existed prior to September 30, 2011, and if the conduct that was the basis of the violation no longer would be a violation of division (B) or (C) of this section on or after September 30, 2011, due to the application of division (F)(5) of this section as it exists on and after September 30, 2011, the person may file an application under R.C. § 2953.35 requesting the expungement of the record of conviction.
(I) Whoever violates this section is guilty of improperly handling firearms in a motor vehicle. A violation of division (A) of this section is a felony to be prosecuted under appropriate state law. A violation of division (C) of this section is a misdemeanor of the fourth degree. A violation of division (D) of this section is a felony to be prosecuted under appropriate state law and, if the loaded handgun is concealed on the person’s person, it is also a felony to be prosecuted under appropriate state law. A violation of division (E)(1) or (E)(2) of this section is a misdemeanor of the second degree. A violation of division (E)(4) of this section is a felony to be prosecuted under appropriate state law. A violation of division (E)(3) or (E)(5) of this section is a misdemeanor of the first degree or, if the offender previously has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to a violation of division (E)(3) or (E)(5) of this section or any substantially equivalent state law or municipal ordinance, a felony to be prosecuted under appropriate state law. In addition to any other penalty or sanction imposed for a misdemeanor violation of division (E)(3) or (E)(5) of this section, the offender’s concealed handgun license shall be suspended pursuant to R.C. § 2923.128(A)(2). A violation of division (B) of this section is a felony to be prosecuted under appropriate state law.
(J) If a law enforcement officer stops a motor vehicle for a traffic stop or any other purpose, if any person in the motor vehicle surrenders a firearm to the officer, either voluntarily or pursuant to a request or demand of the officer, and if the officer does not charge the person with a violation of this section or arrest the person for any offense, the person is not otherwise prohibited by law from possessing the firearm, and the firearm is not contraband, the officer shall return the firearm to the person at the termination of the stop. If a court orders a law enforcement officer to return a firearm to a person pursuant to the requirement set forth in this division, R.C. § 2923.163(B) applies.
(K) As used in this section:
AGRICULTURE. Has the same meaning as in R.C. § 519.01.
COMMERCIAL MOTOR VEHICLE. Has the same meaning as in R.C. § 4506.25(A).
HIGHWAY. Has the same meaning as in R.C. § 4511.01.
MOTOR CARRIER ENFORCEMENT UNIT. Means the Motor Carrier Enforcement Unit in the Department of Public Safety, Division of State Highway Patrol, that is created by R.C. § 5503.34.
MOTOR VEHICLE. Has the same meaning as in R.C. § 4511.01.
OCCUPIED STRUCTURE. Has the same meaning as in R.C. § 2909.01.
STREET. Has the same meaning as in R.C. § 4511.01.
TENANT. Has the same meaning as in R.C. § 1531.01.
UNLOADED.
(a) With respect to a firearm other than a firearm described in division (d) of this definition, means that no ammunition is in the firearm in question, no magazine or speed loader containing ammunition is inserted into the firearm, and one of the following applies:
1. There is no ammunition in a magazine or speed loader that is in the vehicle in question and that may be used with the firearm in question.
2. Any magazine or speed loader that contains ammunition and that may be used with the firearm in question is stored in a compartment within the vehicle in question that cannot be accessed without leaving the vehicle or is stored in a container that provides complete and separate enclosure.
(b) For the purposes of division (a)2. of this definition, a “container that provides complete and separate enclosure” includes, but is not limited to, any of the following:
1. A package, box, or case with multiple compartments, as long as the loaded magazine or speed loader and the firearm in question either are in separate compartments within the package, box, or case, or, if they are in the same compartment, the magazine or speed loader is contained within a separate enclosure in that compartment that does not contain the firearm and that closes using a snap, button, buckle, zipper, hook and loop closing mechanism, or other fastener that must be opened to access the contents or the firearm is contained within a separate enclosure of that nature in that compartment that does not contain the magazine or speed loader;
2. A pocket or other enclosure on the person of the person in question that closes using a snap, button, buckle, zipper, hook and loop closing mechanism, or other fastener that must be opened to access the contents.
(c) For the purposes of divisions (a) and (b) of this definition, ammunition held in stripper-clips or in en-bloc clips is not considered ammunition that is loaded into a magazine or speed loader.
(d) “Unloaded” means, with respect to a firearm employing a percussion cap, flintlock, or other obsolete ignition system, when the weapon is uncapped or when the priming charge is removed from the pan.
(L) Divisions (a) and (b) of the definition of “unloaded” in division (K) of this section do not affect the authority of a person who has been issued a concealed handgun license that is valid at the time in question to have one or more magazines or speed loaders containing ammunition anywhere in a vehicle, without being transported as described in those divisions, as long as no ammunition is in a firearm, other than a handgun, in the vehicle other than as permitted under any other provision of this chapter. A person who has been issued a concealed handgun license that is valid at the time in question may have one or more magazines or speed loaders containing ammunition anywhere in a vehicle without further restriction, as long as no ammunition is in a firearm, other than a handgun, in the vehicle other than as permitted under any provision of this chapter.
(R.C. § 2923.16) (Rev. 2024)
Statutory reference:Return of surrendered firearms by law enforcement, see R.C. § 2923.163(A) No person shall possess or have under his or her control any substance, device, instrument, or article, with purpose to use it criminally.
(B) Each of the following constitutes prima facie evidence of criminal purpose:
(1) Possession or control of any dangerous ordnance, or the materials or parts for making a dangerous ordnance, in the absence of circumstances indicating the dangerous ordnance, materials or parts are intended for a legitimate use.
(2) Possession or control of any substance, device, instrument, or article designed or specially adapted for criminal use.
(3) Possession or control of any substance, device, instrument, or article commonly used for criminal purposes, under circumstances indicating the item is intended for criminal use.
(C) Whoever violates this section is guilty of possessing criminal tools. Except as otherwise provided in this division, possessing criminal tools is a misdemeanor of the first degree. If the circumstances indicate that the substance, device, instrument, or article involved in the offense was intended for use in the commission of a felony, possessing criminal tools is a felony to be prosecuted under appropriate state law.
(R.C. § 2923.24)
(A) No person, in acquiring, possessing, carrying, or using any dangerous ordnance, shall negligently fail to take proper precautions:
(1) To secure the dangerous ordnance against theft, or against its acquisition or use by any unauthorized or incompetent person.
(2) To insure the safety of persons and property.
(B) Whoever violates this section is guilty of failure to a secure dangerous ordnance, a misdemeanor of the second degree.
(R.C. § 2923.19)
(A) No person shall do any of the following:
(1) Recklessly sell, lend, give or furnish any firearm to any person prohibited by R.C. § 2923.13 or 2923.15, or a substantially equivalent municipal ordinance, from acquiring or using any firearm, or recklessly sell, lend, give or furnish any dangerous ordnance to any person prohibited by R.C. § 2923.13, 2923.15 or 2923.17, or a substantially equivalent municipal ordinance, from acquiring or using any dangerous ordnance;
(2) Possess any firearm or dangerous ordnance with purpose to dispose of it in violation of division (A)(1) of this section;
(3) Except as otherwise provided in division (B) of this section, knowingly solicit, persuade, encourage, or entice a federally licensed firearms dealer or private seller to transfer a firearm or ammunition to any person in a manner prohibited by state or federal law;
(4) Except as otherwise provided in division (B) of this section, with an intent to deceive, knowingly provide materially false information to a federally licensed firearms dealer or private seller;
(5) Except as otherwise provided in division (B) of this section, knowingly procure, solicit, persuade, encourage, or entice a person to act in violation of division (A)(3) or (A)(4) of this section;
(6) When transferring any dangerous ordnance to another, negligently fail to require the transferee to exhibit such identification, license, or permit showing the transferee to be authorized to acquire dangerous ordnance pursuant to R.C. § 2923.17, or negligently fail to take a complete record of the transaction and forthwith forward a copy of the record to the sheriff of the county or Safety Director or Police Chief of the municipality where the transaction takes place;
(7) Knowingly fail to report to law enforcement authorities forthwith the loss or theft of any firearm or dangerous ordnance in the person’s possession and under his or her control.
(B) Divisions (A)(3), (A)(4), and (A)(5) of this section do not apply to any of the following:
(1) A law enforcement officer who is acting within the scope of the officer’s duties;
(2) A person who is acting in accordance with directions given by a law enforcement officer described in division (B)(1) of this section.
(C) Whoever violates this section is guilty of unlawful transactions in weapons. A violation of division (A)(1), (A)(2), (A)(3), (A)(4), or (A)(5) of this section is a felony to be prosecuted under appropriate state law. A violation of division (A)(6) of this section is a misdemeanor of the second degree. A violation of division (A)(7) of this section is a misdemeanor of the fourth degree.
(D) As used in this section:
AMMUNITION. Has the same meaning as in R.C. § 2305.401.
FEDERALLY LICENSED FIREARMS DEALER. Has the same meaning as in R.C. § 5502.63.
MATERIALLY FALSE INFORMATION. Means information regarding the transfer of a firearm or ammunition that portrays an illegal transaction as legal or a legal transaction as illegal.
PRIVATE SELLER. Means a person who sells, offers for sale, or transfers a firearm or ammunition and who is not a federally licensed firearms dealer.
(R.C. § 2923.20) (Rev. 2022)
(A) No person under 18 years of age shall purchase or attempt to purchase a firearm.
(B) No person under 21 years of age shall purchase or attempt to purchase a handgun; provided, that this division does not apply to the purchase or attempted purchase of a handgun by a person 18 years of age or older and under 21 years of age if either of the following applies:
(1) The person is a law enforcement officer and has received firearms training approved by the Ohio Peace Officer Training Council or equivalent firearms training.
(2) The person is an active or reserve member of the armed services of the United States or the Ohio National Guard, or was honorably discharged from military service in the active or reserve armed services of the United States or the Ohio National Guard, and the person has received firearms training from the armed services or the national guard or equivalent firearms training.
(C) Whoever violates division (A) of this section is guilty of underage purchase of a firearm, a delinquent act that would be a felony to be prosecuted under appropriate state law if it could be committed by an adult. Whoever violates division (B) of this section is guilty of underage purchase of a handgun, a misdemeanor of the second degree.
(R.C. § 2923.211) (Rev. 2010)
Statutory reference:Improperly furnishing firearms to a minor, felony, see R.C. § 2923.21(A) Discharge of firearms on or near prohibited premises. No person shall do any of the following:
(1) Without permission from the proper officials and subject to division (B)(1) of this section, discharge a firearm upon or over a cemetery or within 100 yards of a cemetery;
(2) Subject to division (B)(2) of this section, discharge of a firearm on a lawn, park, pleasure ground, orchard, or other ground appurtenant to a schoolhouse, church, or inhabited dwelling, the property of another, or a charitable institution;
(3) Discharge a firearm upon or over a public road or highway.
(B) Application of division (A).
(1) Division (A)(1) of this section does not apply to a person who while on the person’s own land, discharges a firearm.
(2) Division (A)(2) of this section does not apply to a person who owns any type of property described in that division and who, while on the person’s own enclosure, discharges a firearm.
(C) Penalty for violation of division (A). Whoever violates division (A) of this section is guilty of discharge of a firearm on or near prohibited premises. A violation of division (A)(1) or (A)(2) of this section is a misdemeanor of the fourth degree. A violation of division (A)(3) shall be punished as follows:
(1) Except as otherwise provided in division (C)(2) of this section, a violation of division (A)(3) of this section is a misdemeanor of the first degree.
(2) If the violation created a substantial risk of physical harm to any person, caused serious physical harm to property, caused physical harm to any person, or caused serious physical harm to any person, a violation of division (A)(3) is a felony to be prosecuted under appropriate state law.
(R.C. § 2923.162) (Rev. 2005)
(D) Hunting near township park.
(1) No person shall hunt, shoot, or kill game within one-half mile of a township park unless the Board of Township Park Commissioners has granted permission to kill game not desired within the limits prohibited by this division.
(R.C. § 3773.06)
(2) Whoever violates division (D)(1) of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor of the fourth degree.
(R.C. § 3773.99(A))
(E) Unlawful discharge. No person shall discharge any BB gun, air gun, or firearm, or make use of any sling, bow and arrow, or crossbow, within the corporate limits of the municipality.
(F) Unlawful pointing or aiming. No person shall, intentionally and without malice, point or aim any BB gun, air gun, or firearm, or any sling, bow and arrow, or crossbow at or toward another.
(G) Penalty for violations of division (E) or (F). Whoever violates division (E) or (F) of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor of the fourth degree.
(H) Exceptions. This section shall not prohibit the firing of a military salute or the firing of weapons by persons of the nation’s armed forces acting under military authority, and shall not apply to law enforcement officials or other government officials in the proper enforcement of the law, or to any person in the proper exercise of the right of self defense, or to any person otherwise lawfully permitted by proper federal, state or local authorities to discharge a BB gun, air gun, or firearm, or to use a sling, bow and arrow, or crossbow in a manner contrary to the provisions of this section. Division (E) of this section does not extend to cases in which BB guns, air guns, or firearms, or slings, bows and arrows, or crossbows are used in the confines of structures or used within the confines of a person’s own property, provided such use is under adult supervision and is approved by the municipality.
(Rev. 2003)
Statutory reference:Improperly discharging firearm at or into habitation or school safety zone, felony offense, see R.C. § 2923.161(A) Upon application to the sheriff of the county or Safety Director or Police Chief of the municipality where the applicant resides or has the applicant’s principal place of business, and upon payment of the fee specified in division (B) of this section, a license or temporary permit shall be issued to qualified applicants to acquire, possess, carry or use a dangerous ordnance for the following purposes:
(1) Contractors, wreckers, quarriers, mine operators and other persons regularly employing explosives in the course of a legitimate business, with respect to explosives and explosive devices acquired, possessed, carried or used in the course of such business.
(2) Farmers, with respect to explosives and explosive devices acquired, possessed, carried or used for agricultural purposes on lands farmed by them.
(3) Scientists, engineers, and instructors, with respect to a dangerous ordnance acquired, possessed, carried or used in the course of bona fide research or instruction.
(4) Financial institutions and armored car company guards, with respect to automatic firearms lawfully acquired, possessed, carried or used by any such person while acting within the scope of the person’s duties.
(5) In the discretion of the issuing authority, any responsible person, with respect to a dangerous ordnance lawfully acquired, possessed, carried or used for a legitimate research, scientific, educational, industrial or other proper purpose.
(B) Application for a license or temporary permit under this section shall be in writing under oath to the sheriff of the county or Safety Director or Police Chief of the municipality where the applicant resides or has the applicant’s principal place of business. The application shall be accompanied by an application fee of $50 when the application is for a license, and an application fee of $5 when the application is for a temporary permit. The fees shall be paid into the General Revenue Fund of the county or municipality. The application shall contain the following information:
(1) The name, age, address, occupation and business address of the applicant, if the applicant is a natural person, or the name, address, and principal place of business of the applicant if the applicant is a corporation.
(2) A description of the dangerous ordnance for which a permit is requested.
(3) A description of the places where and the manner in which the dangerous ordnance is to be kept, carried, and used.
(4) A statement of the purposes for which the dangerous ordnance is to be acquired, possessed, carried or used.
(5) Such other information as the issuing authority may require in giving effect to this section.
(C) Upon investigation, the issuing authority shall issue a license or temporary permit only if all of the following apply:
(1) The applicant is not otherwise prohibited by law from acquiring, having, carrying or using a dangerous ordnance.
(2) The applicant is 21 years of age or over, if the applicant is a natural person.
(3) It appears that the applicant has sufficient competence to safely acquire, possess, carry or use the dangerous ordnance, and that proper precautions will be taken to protect the security of the dangerous ordnance and ensure the safety of persons and property.
(4) It appears that the dangerous ordnance will be lawfully acquired, possessed, carried and used by the applicant for a legitimate purpose.
(D) The license or temporary permit shall identify the person to whom it is issued, identify the dangerous ordnance involved and state the purposes for which the license or temporary permit is issued, state the expiration date, if any, and list such restrictions on the acquisition, possession, carriage, or use of the dangerous ordnance as the issuing authority considers advisable to protect the security of the dangerous ordnance and ensure the safety of persons and property.
(E) A temporary permit shall be issued for the casual use of explosives and explosive devices, and other consumable dangerous ordnance, and shall expire within 30 days of its issuance. A license shall be issued for the regular use of consumable dangerous ordnance, or for any non- consumable dangerous ordnance, which license need not specify an expiration date, but the issuing authority may specify such expiration date, not earlier than one year from the date of issuance, as it considers advisable in view of the nature of the dangerous ordnance and the purposes for which the license is issued.
(F) The dangerous ordnance specified in a license or temporary permit may be obtained by the holder anywhere in the state. Pursuant to R.C. § 2923.18(F), the holder of a license may use such dangerous ordnance anywhere in the state. The holder of a temporary permit may use such dangerous ordnance only within the territorial jurisdiction of the issuing authority.
(G) The issuing authority shall forward to the State Fire Marshal a copy of each license or temporary permit issued pursuant to this section, and a copy of each record of a transaction in a dangerous ordnance and of each report of a lost or stolen dangerous ordnance, given to the local law enforcement authority as required by R.C. § 2923.20(A)(6) and (A)(7) or a substantially equivalent municipal ordinance. The State Fire Marshal will keep a permanent file of all licenses and temporary permits issued pursuant to this section, and of all records of transactions in, and losses or thefts of a dangerous ordnance forwarded by local law enforcement authorities pursuant to this section.
(R.C. § 2923.18) (Rev. 2022)
(A) No person shall knowingly possess an object in a school safety zone if both of the following apply:
(1) The object is indistinguishable from a firearm, whether or not the object is capable of being fired.
(2) The person indicates that the person possesses the object and that it is a firearm, or the person knowingly displays or brandishes the object and indicates that it is a firearm.
(B) (1) This section does not apply to any of the following:
(a) An officer, agent, or employee of this or any other state or the United States who is authorized to carry deadly weapons or dangerous ordnance and is acting within the scope of the officer’s, agent’s, or employee’s duties;
(b) A law enforcement officer who is authorized to carry deadly weapons or dangerous ordnance;
(c) A security officer employed by a board of education or governing body of a school during the time that the security officer is on duty pursuant to that contract of employment;
(d) 1. Any person not described in divisions (B)(1)(a) to (B)(1)(c) of this section who has written authorization from the board of education or governing body of a school to convey deadly weapons or dangerous ordnance into a school safety zone or to possess a deadly weapon or dangerous ordnance in a school safety zone and who conveys or possesses the deadly weapon or dangerous ordnance in accordance with that authorization, provided both of the following apply:
a. Either the person has successfully completed the curriculum, instruction, and training established under R.C. § 5502.703, or the person has received a certificate of having satisfactorily completed an approved basic peace officer training program or is a law enforcement officer;
b. The board or governing body has notified the public, by whatever means the affected school regularly communicates with the public, that the board or governing body has authorized one or more persons to go armed within a school operated by the board or governing authority.
2. A district board or school governing body that authorizes a person under division (B)(1)(d) of this section shall require that person to submit to an annual criminal records check conducted in the same manner as R.C. § 3319.39 or R.C. § 3319.391.
(e) Any person who is employed in this state, who is authorized to carry deadly weapons or dangerous ordnance, and who is subject to and in compliance with the requirements of R.C. § 109.801, unless the appointing authority of the person has expressly specified that the exemption provided in division (B)(1)(e) of this section does not apply to the person.
(2) This section does not apply to premises upon which home schooling is conducted. This section also does not apply to a school administrator, teacher or employee who possesses an object that is indistinguishable from a firearm for legitimate school purposes during the course of employment, a student who uses an object that is indistinguishable from a firearm under the direction of a school administrator, teacher or employee, or any other person who, with the express prior approval of a school administrator, possesses an object that is indistinguishable from a firearm for a legitimate purpose, including the use of the object in a ceremonial activity, a play, re-enactment or other dramatic presentation, school safety training, or a ROTC activity or another similar use of the object.
(3) This section does not apply to a person who conveys or attempts to convey a handgun into, or possesses a handgun in, a school safety zone if, at the time of that conveyance, attempted conveyance, or possession of the handgun, all of the following apply:
(a) The person does not enter into a school building or onto school premises and is not at a school activity.
(b) The person has been issued a concealed handgun license that is valid at the time of the conveyance, attempted conveyance, or possession or the person is an active duty member of the armed forces of the United States and is carrying a valid military identification card and documentation of successful completion of firearms training that meets or exceeds the training requirements described in R.C. § 2923.125(G)(1).
(c) The person is in the school safety zone in accordance with 18 U.S.C. § 922(q)(2)(B).
(d) The person is not knowingly in a place described in R.C. § 2923.126(B)(1) or (B)(3) through (B)(8).
(4) This section does not apply to a person who conveys or attempts to convey a handgun into, or possesses a handgun in, a school safety zone if at the time of that conveyance, attempted conveyance, or possession of the handgun all of the following apply:
(a) The person has been issued a concealed handgun license that is valid at the time of the conveyance, attempted conveyance, or possession or the person is an active duty member of the armed forces of the United States and is carrying a valid military identification card and documentation of successful completion of firearms training that meets or exceeds the training requirements described in R.C. § 2923.125(G)(1).
(b) The person leaves the handgun in a motor vehicle.
(c) The handgun does not leave the motor vehicle.
(d) If the person exits the motor vehicle, the person locks the motor vehicle.
(C) Whoever violates this section is guilty of illegal possession of an object indistinguishable from a firearm in a school safety zone. Except as otherwise provided in this division, illegal possession of an object indistinguishable from a firearm in a school safety zone is a misdemeanor of the first degree. If the offender previously has been convicted of a violation of this section, illegal possession of an object indistinguishable from a firearm in a school safety zone is a felony to be prosecuted under appropriate state law.
(D) (1) In addition to any other penalty imposed upon a person who is convicted of or pleads guilty to a violation of this section, and subject to division (D)(2) of this section, if the offender has not attained 19 years of age, regardless of whether the offender is attending or is enrolled in a school operated by a board of education or for which the Director of Education and Workforce prescribes minimum standards under R.C. § 3301.07, the court shall impose upon the offender a class four suspension of the offender’s probationary driver’s license, restricted license, driver’s license, commercial driver’s license, temporary instruction permit, or probationary commercial driver’s license that then is in effect from the range specified in R.C. § 4510.02(A)(4) and shall deny the offender the issuance of any permit or license of that type during the period of the suspension. If the offender is not a resident of this state, the court shall impose a class four suspension of the nonresident operating privilege of the offender from the range specified in R.C. § 4510.02(A)(4).
(2) If the offender shows good cause why the court should not suspend one of the types of licenses, permits or privileges specified in division (D)(1) of this section or deny the issuance of one of the temporary instruction permits specified in division (D)(1) of this section, the court in its discretion may choose not to impose the suspension, revocation or denial required in division (D)(1) of this section, but the court, in its discretion, instead may require the offender to perform community service for a number of hours determined by the court.
(E) As used in this section, OBJECT THAT IS INDISTINGUISHABLE FROM A FIREARM means an object made, constructed or altered so that, to a reasonable person without specialized training in firearms, the object appears to be a firearm.
(R.C. § 2923.122(C) - (G)) (Rev. 2024)
Statutory reference:Conveyance or possession of deadly weapons or dangerous ordnance in a school safety zone, felony offense, see R.C. § 2923.122(A) and (B)(A) As used in this section, DETENTION and DETENTION FACILITY have the same meanings as in R.C. § 2921.01.
(B) No person under detention at a detention facility shall possess a deadly weapon.
(C) Whoever violates this section is guilty of possession of a deadly weapon while under detention.
(1) Except as otherwise provided in division (C)(2) of this section, possession of a deadly weapon while under detention is a felony to be prosecuted under state law.
(2) If the offender, at the time of the commission of the offense, was under detention as an alleged or adjudicated delinquent child or unruly child and if at the time the offender commits the act for which the offender was under detention it would not be a felony if committed by an adult, possession of a deadly weapon while under detention is a misdemeanor of the first degree.
(R.C. § 2923.131) (Rev. 2002)
Statutory reference:Possession of deadly weapon while under detention, felony offenses, see R.C. § 2923.131(A) Possession of a revoked or suspended concealed handgun license.
(1) No person, except in the performance of official duties, shall possess a concealed handgun license that was issued and that has been revoked or suspended.
(2) Whoever violates this division (A) is guilty of possessing a revoked or suspended concealed handgun license, a misdemeanor of the third degree.
(R.C. § 2923.1211(B), (C)) (Rev. 2014)
(B) Additional restrictions. Pursuant to R.C. § 2923.126:
(1) A concealed handgun license that is issued under R.C. § 2923.125 shall expire five years after the date of issuance. A licensee who has been issued a license under that section shall be granted a grace period of 30 days after the licensee's license expires during which the licensee's license remains valid. Except as provided in divisions (B)(2) and (B)(3) of this section, a licensee who has been issued a concealed handgun license under R.C. § 2923.125 or 2923.1213 may carry a concealed handgun anywhere in this state if the license is valid when the licensee is in actual possession of a concealed handgun. The licensee shall give notice of any change in the licensee's residence address to the sheriff who issued the license within 45 days after that change.
(2) A valid concealed handgun license does not authorize the licensee to carry a concealed handgun in any manner prohibited under R.C. § 2923.12(B) or in any manner prohibited under R.C. § 2923.16. A valid license does not authorize the licensee to carry a concealed handgun into any of the following places:
(a) A police station, sheriff’s office, or state highway patrol station, premises controlled by the bureau of criminal identification and investigation; a state correctional institution, jail, workhouse, or other detention facility; any area of an airport passenger terminal that is beyond a passenger or property screening checkpoint or to which access is restricted through security measures by the airport authority or a public agency; or an institution that is maintained, operated, managed, and governed pursuant to R.C. § 5119.14(A) or R.C. § 5123.03(A)(1);
(b) A school safety zone if the licensee’s carrying the concealed handgun is in violation of R.C. § 2923.122;
(c) A courthouse or another building or structure in which a courtroom is located if the licensee’s carrying the concealed handgun is in violation of R.C. § 2923.123;
(d) Any premises or open air arena for which a D permit has been issued under R.C. Chapter 4303 if the licensee’s carrying the concealed handgun is in violation of R.C. § 2923.121;
(e) Any premises owned or leased by any public or private college, university, or other institution of higher education, unless the handgun is in a locked motor vehicle or the licensee is in the immediate process of placing the handgun in a locked motor vehicle or unless the licensee is carrying the concealed handgun pursuant to a written policy, rule, or other authorization that is adopted by the institution’s board of trustees or other governing body and that authorizes specific individuals or classes of individuals to carry a concealed handgun on the premises;
(f) Any church, synagogue, mosque, or other place of worship, unless the church, synagogue, mosque, or other place of worship posts or permits otherwise;
(g) Any building that is a government facility of this state or a political subdivision of this state and that is not a building that is used primarily as a shelter, restroom, parking facility for motor vehicles, or rest facility and is not a courthouse or other building or structure in which a courtroom is located that is subject to division (B)(2)(c) of this section, unless the governing body with authority over the building has enacted a statute, ordinance, or policy that permits a licensee to carry a concealed handgun into the building;
(h) A place in which federal law prohibits the carrying of handguns.
(3) (a) Nothing in this division (B) shall negate or restrict a rule, policy, or practice of a private employer that is not a private college, university, or other institution of higher education concerning or prohibiting the presence of firearms on the private employer’s premises or property, including motor vehicles owned by the private employer. Nothing in this division (B) shall require a private employer of that nature to adopt a rule, policy, or practice concerning or prohibiting the presence of firearms on the private employer’s premises or property, including motor vehicles owned by the private employer.
(b) 1. A private employer shall be immune from liability in a civil action for any injury, death, or loss to person or property that allegedly was caused by or related to a licensee bringing a handgun onto the premises or property of the private employer, including motor vehicles owned by the private employer, unless the private employer acted with malicious purpose. A private employer is immune from liability in a civil action for any injury, death, or loss to person or property that allegedly was caused by or related to the private employer’s decision to permit a licensee to bring, or prohibit a licensee from bringing, a handgun onto the premises or property of the private employer.
2. A political subdivision shall be immune from liability in a civil action, to the extent and in the manner provided in R.C. Chapter 2744, for any injury, death, or loss to person or property that allegedly was caused by or related to a licensee bringing a handgun onto any premises or property owned, leased, or otherwise under the control of the political subdivision. As used in this division, POLITICAL SUBDIVISION has the same meaning as in R.C. § 2744.01.
3. An institution of higher education shall be immune from liability in a civil action for any injury, death, or loss to person or property that allegedly was caused by or related to a licensee bringing a handgun onto the premises of the institution, including motor vehicles owned by the institution, unless the institution acted with malicious purpose. An institution of higher education is immune from liability in a civil action for any injury, death, or loss to person or property that allegedly was caused by or related to the institution’s decision to permit a licensee or class of licensees to bring a handgun onto the premises of the institution.
4. A nonprofit corporation shall be immune from liability in a civil action for any injury, death, or loss to person or property that allegedly was caused by or related to a licensee bringing a handgun onto the premises of the nonprofit corporation, including any motor vehicle owned by the nonprofit corporation, or to any event organized by the nonprofit corporation, unless the nonprofit corporation acted with malicious purpose. A nonprofit corporation is immune from liability in a civil action for any injury, death, or loss to person or property that allegedly was caused by or related to the nonprofit corporation’s decision to permit a licensee to bring a handgun onto the premises of the nonprofit corporation or to any event organized by the nonprofit corporation.
(c) 1. a. Except as provided in division (B)(3)(c)2. of this section and R.C. § 2923.1214, the owner or person in control of private land or premises, and a private person or entity leasing land or premises owned by the state, the United States, or a political subdivision of the state or the United States, may post a sign in a conspicuous location on that land or on those premises prohibiting persons from carrying firearms or concealed firearms on or onto that land or those premises. Except as otherwise provided in this division, a person who knowingly violates a posted prohibition of that nature is guilty of criminal trespass in violation of R.C. § 2911.21(A)(4) and is guilty of a misdemeanor of the fourth degree. If a person knowingly violates a posted prohibition of that nature and the posted land or premises primarily was a parking lot or other parking facility, the person is not guilty of criminal trespass under R.C. § 2911.21 or under any other criminal law of this state or criminal law, ordinance, or resolution of a political subdivision of this state, and instead is subject only to a civil cause of action for trespass based on the violation.
b. If a person knowingly violates a posted prohibition of the nature described in this division and the posted land or premises is a child care center, type A family child care home, or type B family child care home, unless the person is a licensee who resides in a type A family child care home or type B family child care home, the person is guilty of aggravated trespass in violation of R.C. § 2911.211. Except as otherwise provided in this division, the offender is guilty of a misdemeanor of the first degree. If the person previously has been convicted of a violation of this division or any substantially equivalent state law or municipal ordinance, or of any offense of violence, if the weapon involved is a firearm that is either loaded or for which the offender has ammunition ready at hand, or if the weapon involved is dangerous ordnance, the offender is guilty of a felony to be prosecuted under appropriate state law.
2. A landlord may not prohibit or restrict a tenant who is a licensee and who on or after September 9, 2008 enters into a rental agreement with the landlord for the use of residential premises, and the tenant’s guest while the tenant is present, from lawfully carrying or possessing a handgun on those residential premises.
3. As used in division (B)(3)(c) of this section:
LANDLORD. Has the same meaning as in R.C. § 5321.01.
RENTAL AGREEMENT. Has the same meaning as in R.C. § 5321.01.
RESIDENTIAL PREMISES. Has the same meaning as in R.C. § 5321.01, except the term does not include a dwelling unit that is owned or operated by a college or university.
TENANT. Has the same meaning as in R.C. § 5321.01.
(4) A person who holds a valid concealed handgun license issued by another state that is recognized by the Attorney General pursuant to a reciprocity agreement entered into pursuant to R.C. § 109.69 or a person who holds a valid concealed handgun license under the circumstances described in R.C. § 109.69(B) has the same right to carry a concealed handgun in this state as a person who was issued a concealed handgun license under R.C. § 2923.125 and is subject to the same restrictions that apply to a person who has been issued a license under that section that is valid at the time in question.
(5) (a) A peace officer has the same right to carry a concealed handgun in this state as a person who was issued a concealed handgun license under R.C. § 2923.125, provided that the officer when carrying a concealed handgun under authority of this division is carrying validating identification. For purposes of reciprocity with other states, a peace officer shall be considered to be a licensee in this state.
(b) An active duty member of the armed forces of the United States who is carrying a valid military identification card and documentation of successful completion of firearms training that meets or exceeds the training requirements described in R.C. § 2923.125(G)(1) has the same right to carry a concealed handgun in this state as a person who was issued a concealed handgun license under R.C. § 2923.125 and is subject to the same restrictions as specified in this division (B).
(c) A tactical medical professional who is qualified to carry firearms while on duty under R.C. § 109.771 has the same right to carry a concealed handgun in this state as a person who was issued a concealed handgun license under R.C. § 2923.125.
(d) A fire investigator who is qualified to carry firearms while on duty under R.C. § 109.774 has the same right to carry a concealed handgun in this state as a person who was issued a concealed handgun license under R.C. § 2923.125.
(6) (a) A qualified retired peace officer who possesses a retired peace officer identification card issued pursuant to division (B)(6)(b) of this section and a valid firearms requalification certification issued pursuant to division (B)(6)(c) of this section has the same right to carry a concealed handgun in this state as a person who was issued a concealed handgun license under R.C. § 2923.125 and is subject to the same restrictions that apply to a person who has been issued a license issued under that section that is valid at the time in question. For purposes of reciprocity with other states, a qualified retired peace officer who possesses a retired peace officer identification card issued pursuant to division (B)(6)(b) of this section and a valid firearms requalification certification issued pursuant to division (B)(6)(c) of this section shall be considered to be a licensee in this state.
(b) 1. Each public agency of this state or of a political subdivision of this state that is served by one or more peace officers shall issue a retired peace officer identification card to any person who retired from service as a peace officer with that agency, if the issuance is in accordance with the agency’s policies and procedures and if the person, with respect to the person’s service with that agency, satisfies all of the following:
a. The person retired in good standing from service as a peace officer with the public agency, and the retirement was not for reasons of mental instability.
b. Before retiring from service as a peace officer with that agency, the person was authorized to engage in or supervise the prevention, detection, investigation, or prosecution of, or the incarceration of any person for, any violation of law and the person had statutory powers of arrest.
c. At the time of the person’s retirement as a peace officer with that agency, the person was trained and qualified to carry firearms in the performance of the peace officer’s duties.
d. Before retiring from service as a peace officer with that agency, the person was regularly employed as a peace officer for an aggregate of 15 years or more, or, in the alternative, the person retired from service as a peace officer with that agency, after completing any applicable probationary period of that service, due to a service-connected disability, as determined by the agency.
2. A retired peace officer identification card issued to a person under division (B)(6)(b)1. of this section shall identify the person by name, contain a photograph of the person, identify the public agency of this state or of the political subdivision of this state from which the person retired as a peace officer and that is issuing the identification card, and specify that the person retired in good standing from service as a peace officer with the issuing public agency and satisfies the criteria set forth in divisions (B)(6)(b)1.a. to (B)(6)(B)1.d. of this section. In addition to the required content specified in this division, a retired peace officer identification card issued to a person under division (B)(6)(b)1. of this section may include the firearms requalification certification described in division (B)(6)(c) of this section, and if the identification card includes that certification, the identification card shall serve as the firearms requalification certification for the retired peace officer. If the issuing public agency issues credentials to active law enforcement officers who serve the agency, the agency may comply with division (B)(6)(b)1. of this section by issuing the same credentials to persons who retired from service as a peace officer with the agency and who satisfy the criteria set forth in divisions (B)(6)(b)1.a. to (B)(6)(b)1.d. of this section, provided that the credentials so issued to retired peace officers are stamped with the word “RETIRED”.
3. A public agency of this state or of a political subdivision of this state may charge persons who retired from service as a peace officer with the agency a reasonable fee for issuing to the person a retired peace officer identification card pursuant to division (B)(6)(b)1. of this section.
(c) 1. If a person retired from service as a peace officer with a public agency of this state or of a political subdivision of this state and the person satisfies the criteria set forth in divisions (B)(6)(b)1.a. to (B)(6)(b)1.d. of this section, the public agency may provide the retired peace officer with the opportunity to attend a firearms requalification program that is approved for purposes of firearms requalification required under R.C. § 109.801. The retired peace officer may be required to pay the cost of the course.
2. If a retired peace officer who satisfies the criteria set forth in divisions (B)(6)(b)1.a. to (B)(6)(b)1.d. of this section attends a firearms requalifica- tion program that is approved for purposes of firearms requalification required under R.C. § 109.801, the retired peace officer’s successful completion of the firearms requalification program requalifies the retired peace officer for purposes of division (B)(6) of this section for five years from the date on which the program was successfully completed, and the requalification is valid during that five- year period. If a retired peace officer who satisfies the criteria set forth in divisions (B)(6)(b)1.a. to (B)(6)(b)1.d. of this section satisfactorily completes such a firearms requalification program, the retired peace officer shall be issued a firearms requalification certification that identifies the retired peace officer by name, identifies the entity that taught the program, specifies that the retired peace officer successfully completed the program, specifies the date on which the course was successfully completed, and specifies that the requalification is valid for five years from that date of successful completion. The firearms requalification certification for a retired peace officer may be included in the retired peace officer identification card issued to the retired peace officer under division (B)(6)(b) of this section.
3. A retired peace officer who attends a firearms requalification program that is approved for purposes of firearms requalification required under R.C. § 109.801 may be required to pay the cost of the program.
(7) As used in division (B) of this section:
FIRE INVESTIGATOR. Has the same meaning as in R.C. § 109.71.
GOVERNING BODY. Has the same meaning as in R.C. § 154.01.
GOVERNMENT FACILITY OF THIS STATE OR A POLITICAL SUBDIVISION OF THIS STATE. Means any of the following:
1. A building or part of a building that is owned or leased by the government of this state or a political subdivision of this state and where employees of the government of this state or the political subdivision regularly are present for the purpose of performing their official duties as employees of the state or political subdivision;
2. The office of a deputy registrar serving pursuant to R.C. Chapter 4503 that is used to perform deputy registrar functions.
NONPROFIT CORPORATION. Means any private organization that is exempt from federal income taxation pursuant to subsection 501(a) and described in subsection 501(c) of the Internal Revenue Code.
QUALIFIED RETIRED PEACE OFFICER. Means a person who satisfies all of the following:
1. The person satisfies the criteria set forth in divisions (B)(6)(b)1.a. to (B)(6)(b)1.d. of this section.
2. The person is not under the influence of alcohol or another intoxicating or hallucinatory drug or substance.
3. The person is not prohibited by federal law from receiving firearms.
RETIRED PEACE OFFICER IDENTIFI- CATION CARD. Means an identification card that is issued pursuant to division (B)(6)(b) of this section to a person who is a retired peace officer.
TACTICAL MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL. Has the same meaning as in R.C. § 109.71.
VALIDATING IDENTIFICATION. Means photographic identification issued by the agency for which an individual serves as a peace officer that identifies the individual as a peace officer of the agency.
(R.C. § 2923.126) (Rev. 2025)
(A) No person shall do either of the following:
(1) Change, alter, remove, or obliterate the name of the manufacturer, model, manufacturer’s serial number, or other mark of identification on a firearm.
(2) Possess a firearm knowing or having reasonable cause to believe that the name of the manufacturer, model, manufacturer’s serial number, or other mark of identification on the firearm has been changed, altered, removed, or obliterated.
(B) (1) Whoever violates division (A)(1) of this section is guilty of defacing identification marks of a firearm. Except as otherwise provided in this division, defacing identification marks of a firearm is a misdemeanor of the first degree. If the offender previously has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to a violation of division (A)(1) of this section, defacing identification marks of a firearm is a felony to be prosecuted under appropriate state law.
(2) Whoever violates division (A)(2) of this section is guilty of possessing a defaced firearm. Except as otherwise provided in this division, possessing a defaced firearm is a misdemeanor of the first degree. If the offender previously has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to a violation of division (A)(2) of this section, possessing a defaced firearm is a felony to be prosecuted under appropriate state law.
(C) Division (A) of this section does not apply to any firearm on which no manufacturer’s serial number was inscribed at the time of its manufacture.
(R.C. § 2923.201) (Rev. 2007)