Well, I looked up the statute referenced on the sign: 4301.637(A)
http://codes.ohio.gov/orc/4301.637
It has nothing to do with firearms. It's about underage consumption.
Section
B deals with firearms where alcohol is being "dispensed for consumption".
(B) Every place in this state for which a D permit has been issued under Chapter 4303 of the Revised Code shall be issued a printed card by the division that shall read substantially as follows: "WARNING
If you are carrying a firearm
Under the statutes of Ohio, if you possess a firearm in any room in which liquor is being dispensed in premises for which a D permit has been issued under Chapter 4303. of the Revised Code, you may be guilty of a felony and are subject to a term of actual incarceration of one or two years."
So the alcohol has to be "dispensed", as in poured, provided for consumption.
Not just a grocery or state store where people buy alcohol, or a grocery where someone is drinking cough syrup or a drunk stumbles in.
4303.13 - 4303.184 describes / defines "D permit" (links along the right side of the page)
D-1 may be issued to the owner or operator of a hotel, of a retail food establishment or a food service operation... sell beer for on-premises consumption, kegs for off-premises.
D2... sell wine and prepared and bottled cocktails, cordials, and other mixed beverages ... either in glass or container, for consumption on the premises where sold. The holder of this permit may also sell wine and prepared and bottled cocktails, cordials, and other mixed beverages in original packages and not for consumption on the premises where sold or for resale
D2x ... sell beer at retail to drink on premises, and in kegs for off-premises
D3 ... sell spirituous liquor at retail, only by the individual drink in glass or from the container, for consumption on the premises
D3a after hours permit
D3x... sell wine by the individual drink in glass or from the container, for consumption on the premises
D4 members only club
D4a "guests of a private club sponsored by the airline company, at a publicly owned airport... at which commercial airline companies operate regularly scheduled flights on which space is available to the public"
D5 "sell beer and any intoxicating liquor at retail, only by the individual drink in glass and from the container, for consumption on the premises where sold, and to sell the same products in the same manner and amounts not for consumption on the premises as may be sold by holders of D-1 and D-2 permits"
D5a - o (
big mess)
D6 - allows altered hours for other permits
D7 - restaurant
D8 - state store or large grocery store