Please forgive this intrusion from a displaced nonattorney buckeye elder: OP know that according to Jonathon Fulkerson's, Ohio AG's office, 2010 presentation: "Possession of a firearm by a minor alone is not a crime in Ohio." (
http://www.ohioattorneygeneral.gov/...-9a54-4c7ddf2ea0af/Firearms-Law-Update-1.aspx). I do not believe, by ORC definition, you qualify as a minor since you state you are 18.
That stated, federal law prohibits you alone from purchasing a firearm until you are 21. Federal and as you read, ORC, prohibits anyone from purchasing a firearm on your behalf. However, while not an attorney, I am unaware of Federal or ORC prohibitions of
caregivers purchasing a firearm for your use in the educational pursuit of competitive shooting or hunting activities. Therefore, your brother since he is not your caregiver, if he purchased a firearm on your direct behalf is in violation of both Fed and ORC laws and could find himself in quite a lot of hot water.
As posted on this forum's map page: (quote) Ohio is a traditional open carry state. Recently, the Ohio legislature passed HB-12 over Governor Taft's veto, thus preempting all local open carry bans even in Ohio's "home rule" localities. Unfortunately, despite passage of HB-12, a permit to conceal is still required to openly carry a handgun in a vehicle. (unquote) additiionally, this site's info states >18 may open carry. considering i am unable to find specific ORC stating differently, shall presume it is. (
http://www.opencarry.org/oh.html)
if you are a mind...contact the Ohio AG's office through email and see what they reference as to why you are not allowed to OC. remember to frame your question not from a 'i want to buy a firearm' to something on the theme you want to know if you can OC the firearm you already have. Finally have you ping'd the Buckeye Firearms Assoc to see what their member(s) have said about this topic.
finally, get some basic pistol training (NRA??) to be able to prove you have the appropriate firearm handling background to lend credience to your OC stance.
wabbit
ps: I believe Fed regulatory prohibits you from going out of state to purchase a handgun.