How Ohio’s gun laws compare to the rest of the country

24/7 Wall St. insights

• Gun policy has become one of the most polarizing issues in American politics in recent years.
• The partisan debate over the appropriate balance between gun rights and gun control has resulted in years of stalled gun control initiatives in Washington, DC, and a patchwork of gun regulations across the fifty states.
• Although Ohio has done more to regulate firearms than much of the rest of the country, the state’s gun control policies are not particularly strong.
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For more than 200 years, Americans have had a constitutional right to own firearms. While federal law restricts access to firearms for certain groups—including felons, illegal drug users, and fugitives—and effectively bans civilian ownership of specific types of firearms—such as fully automatic weapons and short-barreled shotguns—the U.S. has some of the most permissive gun laws in the world.

The increasing regularity of mass shootings in recent decades, in addition to rising rates of gun violence, has led many to call for stricter gun restrictions. This, in turn, has made gun control one of the most polarizing issues in American politics. A 2023 Gallup poll found that 84% of likely Democratic voters say gun laws should be stricter, compared to just 31% of likely Republican voters.

The partisan divide over gun control has achieved little beyond political gridlock at the federal level. In the absence of legislative action on Capitol Hill, many states have exercised their authority to expand national gun control policies. Others, meanwhile, have taken a decidedly hands-off approach.

Ohio’s gun control laws are relatively weak, according to the analysis by Giffords Law Center, a gun violence prevention group. Taking into account a wide range of policies available to state governments — including bans on assault weapons and high-capacity magazines, universal background check laws, waiting periods and regulating firearms in public — Gifford’s Law Center awarded Ohio a letter grade from “D-“, on an AF scale, because of the strength of his gun control policies. (Here’s an overview of each state’s gun laws.)

Firearm regulations are generally designed and implemented to reduce the likelihood of gun violence, and in states where gun control takes a back seat to gun rights, firearm death rates tend to be higher. According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there were 1,831 firearm-related deaths in Ohio in 2022, or about 15.6 for every 100,000 people, the 25th highest rate of firearm deaths among the 50 states. (Here’s a look at the U.S. cities where gun crime is increasing.)

Using data collected by Gifford’s Law Center, 24/7 Wall St. assessed Ohio’s approach to 14 key gun control policy areas. It is important to note that the laws on this list are not exhaustive and represent only broad guidelines. Legal nuances can also vary at the local level.

Why it matters

With the exception of some modest revisions to background check protocols, the U.S. has not implemented any meaningful gun control reform in recent decades. Yet state governments also have the power to implement their own policies, resulting in a patchwork of gun laws across the fifty states. Currently, Ohio ranks as having some of the weakest state-level firearm regulations in the country.

Universal background check laws

• State Policy: Federal law requires all gun purchasers to undergo a background check before purchasing a firearm from a licensed retailer – but transfers from unlicensed retailers are exempt from background check requirements. While many states have closed this loophole with universal background check laws, Ohio has not.

Mental health reporting

• State Policy: Ohio requires the collection of mental health data for state databases, but laws do not address data sharing with federal databases.

Concealed carrying of a firearm

• State Policy: A permit is not required to carry a concealed firearm in certain public places in Ohio.

Open carry regulations for handguns

• State Policy: Open carry of handguns is permitted in certain public places in Ohio.

Regulations for the open carry of long weapons

• State Policy: Ohio does not prohibit the open carry of long guns in certain public places.

Stick to your constitutions

• State Policy: The use of deadly force is permitted in public if necessary to prevent death or serious bodily harm – even if it is possible to distance yourself from the incident.

Guns in schools

• State Policy: In Ohio, firearms can be carried in elementary schools by school security officers. Teachers and other school employees who have been approved and completed required training and background checks are also allowed to carry firearms.

Mandatory waiting periods for the purchase of firearms

• State Policy: There is no mandatory waiting period for purchasing firearms in Ohio.

Assault style weapons

• State Policy: Generally, Ohio regulates the possession or sale of assault weapons, such as those modeled after AK-47 or M-16 military rifles.

High capacity warehouses

• State Policy: Ohio has no restrictions on high-capacity magazines.

Licensing requirements

• State Policy: Gun owners or potential buyers are not required to obtain a permit in Ohio.

State-level bans on who can own firearms

• State Policy: In Ohio, individuals struggling with alcohol abuse and adults charged with certain juvenile offenses are subject to restrictions on access to firearms.

Minimum age requirements for pistols

• State Policy: In Ohio, people must be at least 21 years old to purchase a handgun. The state does not set a minimum age for owning a gun.

Minimum age requirements for long guns

• State Policy: In Ohio, people must be at least 18 years old to purchase a long gun, such as a rifle or shotgun. The state does not set a minimum age for owning a long firearm.

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