Posted by Anne Decker on May 13, 2022
Ohio's new gun law takes effect June 13.

Senate Bill 215 permits qualified adults in Ohio to carry concealed guns without a license. Allen County Sheriff Matt Treglia and Allen County Chief Assistant Prosecutor Destiny Caldwell explained the new law at Rotary on Monday. Caldwell told us that the law has two significant changes from current law: It has changed the requirement that individuals stopped for a law enforcement purpose must promptly notify the officer that the person is carrying a concealed handgun. Under the new law, an individual stopped for a law enforcement purpose must only notify the officer if the officer asks if there is a concealed handgun. It allows an otherwise qualified adult to carry a handgun in a concealed manner without first obtaining a concealed carry license. A qualified adult is one who is 21 years of age or older and who is not legally prohibited from possessing or receiving a firearm.

Sheriff Treglia told us that if you were denied a permit to carry concealed in the past, you still will not be allowed to carry concealed under the new law. He says the duty is on the individual to know whether they meet the requirement to be considered a “qualified adult” and ignorance of the law is not a defense.