How to Get an Ohio Concealed Weapons Permit

It is illegal for you to carry a concealed weapon in the state of Ohio if you have not been properly authorized to carry the weapon. Proper authorization includes a license to carry a concealed weapon. This license can be obtained in the form of a regular weapons permit, which requires that certain training is obtained. Ohio also allows you to obtain an emergency permit if your life is in immediate danger. Regardless of the type of concealed weapons permit you are seeking, you must be at least 21 years of age and a United States citizen who has lived in the state of Ohio for at least 45 days to obtain the permit.

Things You'll Need

• Firearms safety course
• Permit application
• Background check
• Processing fee

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Instructions

Regular Permit

• 1

  Read through the manual titled, “Ohio's Concealed Carry Law.” You can download and print a copy of this manual by visiting the Ohio State Attorney General's website (see Resources). You also can obtain a free copy of this manual by visiting your local sheriff's office.

• 2

  Complete a firearms safety course. You can take the firearms safety course through the National Rifle Association (NRA). You also can take non-NRA courses. If the course is non-NRA, the course instructor must be certified by the Ohio Peace Officer Training Commission or the NRA.

  You can find a certified instructor by visiting the Ohio Attorney General website, clicking on the “Enforcement” tab and selecting “Concealed Carry.” If you are active in the military, in the military reserves or a retired law enforcement officer, you do not have to complete the firearms safety course.

• 3

  Obtain documentation showing that you successfully completed the firearms safety course. This documentation is provided by your firearms safety course instructor. If you are in the military, you need documentation that reflects your service in the military.

• 4

  Complete the state of Ohio's “License to Carry a Concealed Handgun Application.” You will need to attach a recent photograph of yourself that is no less than 30-days-old. You also will have to provide information such as your name, contact information and Social Security number. You must also answer questions pertaining to your citizenship, criminal history and certify that you have read “Ohio's Concealed Carry Law” manual.

• 5

  Submit the application to your local sheriff's office. You also must attach a copy of the documentation from step 2 showing that you have completed the firearms safety course or documentation showing you are active in the military or are retired from law enforcement.

• 6

  Allow the sheriff to take your fingerprints.

• 7

  Pay the sheriff the fee that is required to run your criminal background check. As of June 2010, the minimum fee required for a permit is $67 if you have been living in the state of Ohio for more than five years. If you have been living in the state of Ohio for less than five years, the minimum fee is $91. The charges can vary by county.

• 8

  Wait to receive your concealed weapons permit. You will receive the permit before leaving the sheriff's office.

Emergency Permit

• 9

  Complete the “State of Ohio Application For Temporary Emergency Concealed Carry Handgun License.”

• 10

  Obtain evidence, such as a police report or restraining order, showing that your life is in immediate danger. If you have no evidence, you can instead complete a sworn affidavit. In the affidavit you must state that your life or the life of a family member is in imminent danger. Have the affidavit notarized by a notary public.

• 11

  Submit the evidence of imminent danger, along with your emergency license application, to your local sheriff's office.

• 12

  Allow the sheriff to take your fingerprints. Wait for the sheriff to run a criminal background check. You will have to pay a fee for the background check and licensing. As of June 2010, if you have been living in the state of Ohio for more than five years, the minimum fee is $37. If you have been living in the state of Ohio for less than five years, the minimum fee is $61.

• 13

  Wait for the sheriff to give you an emergency concealed weapons permit. The emergency permit will expire after 90 days and is nonrenewable.