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New Member

rodom

New member
Joined
Aug 29, 2014
Messages
2
Location
United States
Hello to everyone out there. I'm a new member with all the new guy questions. I started checking out the site because just like all of you, I had questions as to our rights. I live in Ohio, and over the years I've traveled to some areas (for work) that just aren't safe for any non-resident. Heck they're not safe for the folks who have to live there. As such I have often carried a handgun concealed on my person or in my tool box. I had been told years ago of something called "the prudent man act". This basically said that if your occupation caused to you carry large amounts of cash, such as bank deposits, or your job forced you to travel in unsafe areas you were allowed to carry. Now the "open carry" movement has taken off here, as we recently had an "open carry" rally on Medina's Public Square. My question now is - if it's legal to openly carry, is it still legal for my firearm to be openly displayed on the passenger side seat of my car? Seems to me that would be quite a deterrent for a carjacker to see.
 

twoskinsonemanns

Regular Member
Joined
Apr 12, 2012
Messages
2,326
Location
WV
Welcome! I would suggest checking out the Ohio specific sub forum. Unfortunately laws are so different from one state to the next.
 

JustaShooter

Regular Member
Joined
Jul 26, 2013
Messages
728
Location
NE Ohio
Welcome to OCDO rodom!

A couple of things for you to consider:

In Ohio, since the passage of the concealed handgun law in 2004 my understanding is that the "prudent man" defense is no longer valid. As I understand it, the thinking was that if you carry concealed, a prudent man would now get their Concealed Handgun License (CHL).

Second, no matter how visible it is you cannot have a loaded firearm in your car in Ohio unless you have a CHL, and then it can only be a loaded handgun. So, you must either unload and properly store (which in Ohio has very specific requirements) before entering the vehicle or you must get your CHL.
 

BB62

Accomplished Advocate
Joined
Aug 17, 2006
Messages
4,069
Location
Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
...In Ohio, since the passage of the concealed handgun law in 2004 my understanding is that the "prudent man" defense is no longer valid...
In essence, that's correct. That part of the law was actually removed from the Ohio Revised Code when concealed carry was passed.
 

Werz

Regular Member
Joined
Aug 2, 2012
Messages
301
Location
Northeast Ohio
In Ohio, since the passage of the concealed handgun law in 2004 my understanding is that the "prudent man" defense is no longer valid. As I understand it, the thinking was that if you carry concealed, a prudent man would now get their Concealed Handgun License (CHL).

In essence, that's correct. That part of the law was actually removed from the Ohio Revised Code when concealed carry was passed.
Actually, it is still present in the law, but now it applies only to non-handgun, non-dangerous-ordnance deadly weapons, e.g., a Bowie knife or a nunchaku. R.C. 2923.12(D). Risky defense, though, and it always has been.
 

color of law

Accomplished Advocate
Joined
Oct 7, 2007
Messages
5,936
Location
Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
Actually, it is still present in the law, but now it applies only to non-handgun, non-dangerous-ordnance deadly weapons, e.g., a Bowie knife or a nunchaku. R.C. 2923.12(D). Risky defense, though, and it always has been.
But, this "prudent man" defense is what got the conceal carry ball rolling.
 

BB62

Accomplished Advocate
Joined
Aug 17, 2006
Messages
4,069
Location
Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
Actually, it is still present in the law, but now it applies only to non-handgun, non-dangerous-ordnance deadly weapons, e.g., a Bowie knife or a nunchaku. R.C. 2923.12(D). Risky defense, though, and it always has been.
Ah ha! Thanks for the correction and enlightenment.
 

rodom

New member
Joined
Aug 29, 2014
Messages
2
Location
United States
CCW - what steps are necessary?

Since you all are much more well versed that I, could someone explain what is necessary to obtain a Concealed Carry Permit or what you folks had referred to as a HCL? I'm aware that a training course is necessary, along with properly supervised range time, and the permit has to be purchased - the last figure I heard was $66 - but what else happens? There's a number of places out here in the country offering the courses, but I guess I'd listen to suggestions from folks who have taken the courses for recommendations.
 

JustJack

Regular Member
Joined
Jun 27, 2013
Messages
82
Location
Findlay, Ohio, United States
First off, greetings and salutations! Welcome. Secondly, in Ohio it's referred to as a Concealed Handgun License or CHL, as apposed to a permit. Thirdly, what county are you in? It will help get you more specific answers to your questions about which classes are available, which are good, which to avoid, etc. As to getting your CHL, you must take the state mandated training, which is 12 hours total with 10 hours class time and 2 hours range time. Upon completion of the course, or shortly thereafter, you will receive (from the instructor) a certificate of training. You must present this certificate, a completed application (some instructors include a blank app in the packet of things you receive), a 2x2 'Passport' style color photograph of yourself, taken recently (This can be purchased at many places, I got mine at a CVS pharmacy), valid photo ID (drivers license, etc) and your license fee, which varies depending on how long you've been an Ohio resident. If it's less than 5 years you must pay the $67 that everyone pays, PLUS the "actual cost of having a background check performed by the federal bureau of investigation." Then the Sheriff's Deputy will take your prints, either digitally (faster) or ink (Slow) and they'll begin processing your application. State law requires them to either approve or deny you within 45 days of receiving your completed application. Most are faster, some are REALLY SLOW (another reason to say what county you're in, since you are allowed to apply at any adjoining county as well as the one you live in). I hope this helps.

Here's the actual Law in all it's (mostly understandable) legalize (Valid through 9/17/2014) ORC 2923.125 (Valid after 9/17/2014) ORC 2923.125
 
Last edited:

Grapeshot

Legendary Warrior
Joined
May 21, 2006
Messages
35,317
Location
Valhalla
First off, greetings and salutations! Welcome. Secondly, in Ohio it's referred to as a Concealed Handgun License or CHL, as apposed to a permit. Thirdly, what county are you in? It will help get you more specific answers to your questions about which classes are available, which are good, which to avoid, etc. As to getting your CHL, you must take the state mandated training, which is 12 hours total with 10 hours class time and 2 hours range time. Upon completion of the course, or shortly thereafter, you will receive (from the instructor) a certificate of training. You must present this certificate, a completed application (some instructors include a blank app in the packet of things you receive), a 2x2 'Passport' style color photograph of yourself, taken recently (This can be purchased at many places, I got mine at a CVS pharmacy), valid photo ID (drivers license, etc) and your license fee, which varies depending on how long you've been an Ohio resident. If it's less than 5 years you must pay the $67 that everyone pays, PLUS the "actual cost of having a background check performed by the federal bureau of investigation." Then the Sheriff's Deputy will take your prints, either digitally (faster) or ink (Slow) and they'll begin processing your application. State law requires them to either approve or deny you within 45 days of receiving your completed application. Most are faster, some are REALLY SLOW (another reason to say what county you're in, since you are allowed to apply at any adjoining county as well as the one you live in). I hope this helps.

Here's the actual Law in all it's (mostly understandable) legalize (Valid through 9/17/2014) ORC 2923.125 (Valid after 9/17/2014) ORC 2923.125
Wow! So you have to do more than just "sign here."
 

JustaShooter

Regular Member
Joined
Jul 26, 2013
Messages
728
Location
NE Ohio
Wow! So you have to do more than just "sign here."
Yes, unfortunately. 12 hours of your time plus if you figure the cost of the class and ammo, count on pretty near $200 in costs, then get fingerprinted and a background check run. All so you can drape a piece of cloth over your gun - or openly carry in your car, or in a bar.
 

JustaShooter

Regular Member
Joined
Jul 26, 2013
Messages
728
Location
NE Ohio
My in-law lives in Hamilton County and got his concealed carry permit in about a week.

Wayne County typically issues within a day or two depending on how busy they are, and in some cases renewals are given while you wait. By contrast, Stark county was recently taking right at the statutory maximum of 45 days. Some County Sheriffs are pro carry, some not so much - and you can bet the ones that are slow to issue a concealed handgun license are also more prone to harass open carriers.
 

JmE

Regular Member
Joined
Mar 28, 2007
Messages
358
Location
, ,
Highland County takes the photo for you and tries to have it ready the next business day. Some have told me that they had theirs the same day.

Open carry has always been with us but I knew many who carried concealed. For some of those who carried concealed before, it sucks to have to pay to do that which was done all along. I would've rather seen concealed carry distinctions simply stricken from the law instead of creating a privilege out of the right. But, it's here now and we have to work within its framework. One good thing that came out of licensing law is that more people open carry. :)
 
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