State profile · OH
Ohio Concealed Carry Reciprocity: Where Your Permit Works
A Ohio resident permit (Ohio Concealed Handgun License (CHL)) is honored in 38 of the other 50 US jurisdictions, and 1 more allow permitless carry even though they do not recognize the permit itself. In the other direction, Ohio recognizes valid carry permits from every US state. Ohio allows permitless concealed carry from age 21 for people who may legally possess a handgun, including eligible visitors.
Where a Ohio permit is honored
Click any destination for the full rules — duty to inform, magazine limits, off-limits places, and official sources.
* a load-bearing fact could not be fully verified — confirm with the official source before carrying.
Whose permits Ohio honors
Ohio recognizes valid concealed-carry permits from every US state and DC.
Since March 23, 2015 Ohio recognizes a valid concealed handgun license issued by ANY other state regardless of reciprocity agreement, but only while the holder is NOT an Ohio resident and is temporarily in Ohio (R.C. 2923.126). The statute does not require the holder to be a resident of the issuing state. Ohio residents must use an Ohio license or permitless carry.
Ohio at a glance
- Permit
- Ohio Concealed Handgun License (CHL)
- Issued by
- County sheriff
- Issue policy
- Shall-issue
- Resident minimum age
- 21
- Non-resident permits
- Issued
- Permitless carry
- Yes (21+)
- Duty to inform
- No
- Magazine limit
- None
Non-residents may obtain an Ohio license only if employed in Ohio (R.C. 2923.125(D)(1)).
Vehicle carry
A licensee or qualifying adult (21+) may carry a loaded concealed handgun in a motor vehicle; pre-2022 vehicle notification and handling restrictions were repealed by SB 215.
Off-limits places in Ohio
- Police stations, sheriff's offices and highway patrol posts
- Correctional institutions, jails and detention facilities
- Airport passenger terminals beyond security checkpoints
- Courthouses and buildings containing a courtroom
- School safety zones (limited vehicle exceptions, R.C. 2923.122)
- Places of worship, unless the facility permits carry
Frequently asked questions
- Which states honor a Ohio carry permit?
- Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming. The table on this page links to the detailed rules for each destination.
- Does Ohio recognize out-of-state carry permits?
- Since March 23, 2015 Ohio recognizes a valid concealed handgun license issued by ANY other state regardless of reciprocity agreement, but only while the holder is NOT an Ohio resident and is temporarily in Ohio (R.C. 2923.126). The statute does not require the holder to be a resident of the issuing state. Ohio residents must use an Ohio license or permitless carry.
- Can I carry in Ohio without a permit?
- Ohio allows permitless concealed carry from age 21 for people who may legally possess a handgun, including eligible visitors.
- Do I have to tell police in Ohio that I am carrying?
- SB 215 (2022) removed the duty to promptly notify; a person stopped by law enforcement is no longer required to volunteer that they are carrying but must answer truthfully if the officer asks (R.C. 2923.12).
Official sources
- Ohio Revised Code 2923.126 — Duties of licensed individual (out-of-state license recognition) — accessed 2026-08-08
- Ohio Revised Code 2923.125 — Application and licensing process — accessed 2026-08-08
- Ohio Revised Code 2923.111 — Concealed carry by a qualifying adult — accessed 2026-08-08
- Ohio Legislature — SB 215 (134th GA), effective June 13, 2022 — accessed 2026-08-08