No, Ohio does not require gun registration for anyone who wishes to carry a firearm. You can still obtain a concealed carry license, but in Ohio, you have the option to carry either openly or concealed.
There are some stipulations to carrying certain firearms that are worth knowing in case of encounters with law enforcement or other situations that may arise while carrying a gun. If you are seeking to obtain a gun license, a Columbus gun crime lawyer can guide you through that process as smoothly as possible.
You Do Not Need a Permit to Purchase a Gun in Ohio
If you want to purchase a gun in Ohio, you can do so as long as you are at least 18 years old or at least 21 years old if you are purchasing a handgun specifically. These age restrictions do not apply to certain state and federal employees, law enforcement, or members of the military.
Purchasing a firearm may not be possible if you have been convicted of certain crimes and have not had your gun rights restored in Ohio. If you are in this position, make sure you are aware of how much it costs to repair your gun rights. We can help you regain the same rights if the process feels too overwhelming for you to handle on your own.
You can buy a gun from any private seller who is qualified to have a gun or from a Federal Firearms Licensee. Buying from someone who cannot have a firearm in Ohio could result in legal trouble for them and you, so make sure you know who you are buying from. A Federal Firearms Licensee will be a much safer bet.
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Handguns Do Not Require a License to Carry
Handguns may be openly or concealed carried in Ohio as long as you are at least 21 years old. While you can obtain a concealed carry license, you are not required to do so as long as you are a qualified adult under O.R.C. § 2923.111. This means you are of age, not statutorily restricted from possessing a gun, and meet all the other requirements in O.R.C. § 2923.125.
You cannot carry or own a handgun if you have been convicted of certain crimes that specifically disqualify you. Unfortunately, it can be a very difficult and lengthy process to get your gun rights back in order to have a handgun. It may be smart to make buying a handgun what not to do if you are a convicted felon in Ohio.
If you have an old gun license from before Ohio’s law changed that has expired or is expiring, know that as long as you generally are a qualified adult, you can own and carry a handgun like anyone else. This is not the case for people convicted of crimes, who must obtain a license to carry.
You Do Not Need to Register for Other Kinds of Guns
The same rules apply if you are convicted of crimes that take away your gun rights. We can help you determine how to restore your gun rights in Ohio, allowing you to exercise the same rights as others. One mistake in life does not necessarily mean you should never fully restore your rights in some fashion.
If you believe you do not have the right legal status regarding whether Ohio requires gun registration, talk to us. The law has evolved over the years, so what was once true may no longer be the case. We can help you clarify the situation for yourself and pursue legal action if you have been restricted, even though you qualify under Ohio law.
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Crimes That Prohibit Having a Gun in Ohio
While you do not need a permit to have a gun, being convicted of certain crimes will bar you from possessing or owning a gun. Not every crime will, so do not think that having anything on your record at all immediately disqualifies you.
Being Charged with or Convicted of a Felony
If you are currently under indictment for a felony or have been convicted of a felony of any kind, you are legally disqualified from gun ownership or possession. The law does not provide any specific exceptions, so any felony here means no guns.
Drug Crimes
Any crimes under O.R.C. § 2925, § 3719, or § 4729 will prevent you from acquiring firearms. If you are able to get an expungement, sealed record, or even a rare full pardon, you could regain your ability to own and carry a gun. These all relate to drug crimes.
Violent Offenses
A misdemeanor may not seem nearly as serious as a felony to warrant similar limitations, but being convicted of a violent misdemeanor will result in not being able to have a gun. Overcoming this can be very challenging, but it is worth consulting a Columbus gun rights restoration lawyer about it.
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Talk to Us About Gun Laws in Ohio
While Ohio’s gun laws are generally lax, some technicalities surrounding whether Ohio requires gun registration can be challenging to figure out. If you have questions, Koffel | Brininger | Nesbitt can help. We have over 30 years of experience defending people from criminal charges.
Feel free to reach out to our skilled team to get more clarity before you start carrying a gun in Ohio.
Call or text (614) 884-1100 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form