imported post
Thought this was interesting. The first email is very polite, informative and helpful. The second email from the actual public relations guy is much more threatening.
Email I sent
Dear Sir or Ma'am,
Thank you for taking the time to read this inquiry. I have recently moved to northern Kentucky, just across the river from Cincinnati. While living in Kentucky, I normally openly carry my personal side arm in a holster. After researching Ohio guns laws, it appears to me there that open carry is legal in Ohio as well. However, I have heard from friends and others that law enforcement in Cincinnati are often not aware of this and that I could face harassment.
I was hoping you could verify for me that open carry of a legal fire arm is legal in Ohio and that Hamilton county police are aware of it's legality. I am a member of the military and in the summer I prefer to open carry for comfort reasons while retaining the ability to defend myself.
your assistance would be greatly appreciated
1st emailed response:
Your email to Steve Barnett of this office has been referred to me for response.
Thank you for your military service.
In general, it is not illegal in Ohio to carry a non-concealed handgun in a holster in public. You should be aware, however, that there are a great many places in Ohio where it is illegal to carry a handgun, concealed or not. For example, handguns may not be brought into courthouses, city, county, state or federal buildings, schools, bars with schedule D licenses and in any place where the owner/proprietor has posted "no firearms" signs.
You should also be aware that transporting a loaded firearm in a vehicle that is accessible to the driver or passenger without leaving the vehicle is a violation of Ohio law. An unloaded firearm may be transported in a vehicle if it is in a closed package, box or case, in a compartment that can be reached only by leaving the vehicle or is in plain sight and secured in a rack or holder made for the purpose.
Because there are approximately 48 separate and distinct law enforcement agencies within the confines of Hamilton County. I am unable to verify, as you request, that all law enforcement in Hamilton County are aware of the legality of carrying a displayed firearm.
As to the potential for harrassment of which you speak, and while not a legal opinion and without any first-hand knowledge of such a situation, I offer the following observation: While openly carrying a legal firearm in public is certainly legal and within your rights, such a practice remains unusual. It's not uncommon for citizens to call a local police agency to report their sighting of unusual activity - a publicly armed person, for example - and for police to respond to make inquiries. While the firearm-carrying citizen might consider that harrassment, the responding officer is considering his activity to be reasonably responding to the concerns of another citizen.
If you have other inquiries, don't hesitate to make them via email or at 513-946-6611.
EDWIN H. BOLDT
SHERIFF'S COUNSEL
2nd emailed response (this came at random a month later by the actual public relations guy) no greeting, sig or anything other than this line:
Open carry itself is not against the law in Ohio; however, should you cause alarm to citizens you could be charged with inducing panic or, depending on the facts, disorderly conduct. Plus, all gun carry is restricted in many areas
My two cents: I really doubt a jury will convict a law abiding citizen with a clean record, let alone an active duty officer in the military for legally carrying his personal side arm of those charges. I'm curious if this has actually occurred, let me know if i'm wrong in my doubts.
Thought this was interesting. The first email is very polite, informative and helpful. The second email from the actual public relations guy is much more threatening.
Email I sent
Dear Sir or Ma'am,
Thank you for taking the time to read this inquiry. I have recently moved to northern Kentucky, just across the river from Cincinnati. While living in Kentucky, I normally openly carry my personal side arm in a holster. After researching Ohio guns laws, it appears to me there that open carry is legal in Ohio as well. However, I have heard from friends and others that law enforcement in Cincinnati are often not aware of this and that I could face harassment.
I was hoping you could verify for me that open carry of a legal fire arm is legal in Ohio and that Hamilton county police are aware of it's legality. I am a member of the military and in the summer I prefer to open carry for comfort reasons while retaining the ability to defend myself.
your assistance would be greatly appreciated
1st emailed response:
Your email to Steve Barnett of this office has been referred to me for response.
Thank you for your military service.
In general, it is not illegal in Ohio to carry a non-concealed handgun in a holster in public. You should be aware, however, that there are a great many places in Ohio where it is illegal to carry a handgun, concealed or not. For example, handguns may not be brought into courthouses, city, county, state or federal buildings, schools, bars with schedule D licenses and in any place where the owner/proprietor has posted "no firearms" signs.
You should also be aware that transporting a loaded firearm in a vehicle that is accessible to the driver or passenger without leaving the vehicle is a violation of Ohio law. An unloaded firearm may be transported in a vehicle if it is in a closed package, box or case, in a compartment that can be reached only by leaving the vehicle or is in plain sight and secured in a rack or holder made for the purpose.
Because there are approximately 48 separate and distinct law enforcement agencies within the confines of Hamilton County. I am unable to verify, as you request, that all law enforcement in Hamilton County are aware of the legality of carrying a displayed firearm.
As to the potential for harrassment of which you speak, and while not a legal opinion and without any first-hand knowledge of such a situation, I offer the following observation: While openly carrying a legal firearm in public is certainly legal and within your rights, such a practice remains unusual. It's not uncommon for citizens to call a local police agency to report their sighting of unusual activity - a publicly armed person, for example - and for police to respond to make inquiries. While the firearm-carrying citizen might consider that harrassment, the responding officer is considering his activity to be reasonably responding to the concerns of another citizen.
If you have other inquiries, don't hesitate to make them via email or at 513-946-6611.
EDWIN H. BOLDT
SHERIFF'S COUNSEL
2nd emailed response (this came at random a month later by the actual public relations guy) no greeting, sig or anything other than this line:
Open carry itself is not against the law in Ohio; however, should you cause alarm to citizens you could be charged with inducing panic or, depending on the facts, disorderly conduct. Plus, all gun carry is restricted in many areas
My two cents: I really doubt a jury will convict a law abiding citizen with a clean record, let alone an active duty officer in the military for legally carrying his personal side arm of those charges. I'm curious if this has actually occurred, let me know if i'm wrong in my doubts.
