03/20/2022
This was posted by the Sheriff of Lake County, OH
Lake County Sheriff's Office Sheriff Frank Leonbruno
March 17 at 12:51 PM ·
Update on the New Concealed Handgun Constitutional Carry Law and its effect on citizens here in Lake County
Many people are inquiring about the changes in the law in Ohio concerning carrying a concealed handgun. While the changes in law will not take effect until June of 2022, Sheriffs across Ohio are studying the new law changes to make the appropriate updates to their CCW Offices. Here is what I can tell you so far:
Governor DeWine has signed into law SB 215, which has become known as the “Constitutional Carry” law. It will go into effect June 13, 2022. The law essentially makes the concealed handgun license optional. If you can legally carry or possess a handgun, you will be able to conceal it without a license, training requirement or background check as of June 13, 2022. Until that date, you still need a CHL/CCW License to carry a handgun concealed in Ohio.
This is a significant change for persons who live in Ohio who are over the age of 21 that would like to lawfully carry their handgun concealed but do not want to obtain a license to do so. The new law changes have also removed the requirement for those that carry a concealed handgun to promptly inform a law enforcement officer that they are Carrying a concealed handgun when they come into contact with a police officer. However, under the new law, if a law enforcement officer asks if you are carrying a handgun you must answer the officer truthfully.
(disqualifying factors for carrying a CHL/CCW can be found at https://www.lakecountyohio.gov/.../CCW-Disqualifying...)
As a supporter of the second amendment, I understand the importance of your rights to lawfully possess and carry fi****ms for personal protection or sporting purposes, if you choose. As your Sheriff, and a fi****ms owner, I am also an advocate of responsible and safe fi****ms handling. I continue to encourage all fi****ms owners, new or seasoned to consider attending fi****ms courses for safety and proficiency. I would also ask that if you are carrying a weapon on you, and find yourself in an interaction with law enforcement, that you voluntarily inform the officer as soon as possible for everyone’s safety.
The Lake County Sheriff’s Office will continue to provide concealed handgun licensing to those who choose to obtain a license just as we have been for many years. The benefit to obtaining an Ohio Concealed Handgun License would be the ability to carry a concealed handgun in other states which Ohio has reciprocity agreements. A lack of a license may not permit you to carry in other states. While many States have gone to Constitutional Carry laws, just as many have not. North and South Carolina, Georgia and Florida are not, so if you intend to carry concealed through those States you will need to have a CHL/CCW license. (You can easily reference who is a No Permit Carry State by visiting handgunlaw.us.) As well, there are many other benefits to having a CHL/CCW license such as a speedier process for background check when purchasing new fi****ms due to the checks already performed by a Sheriff’s Office when getting a CHL/CCW permit.
Our Lake County Sheriff’s Office administration has been reviewing the law and discussing the impending changes for a couple of weeks. It seems likely the number of licenses that we issue will decrease. As required by law we will continue offering Concealed Handgun Licensing services just as we have been. We will also be training deputies on the changes in the law. The training will consist of a legal update on the law itself. We will also train on how to address citizens during traffic stops and other encounters as it relates to the law. This may include deputies making inquiries about a citizen’s armed status. Interacting with citizens who are exercising their constitutional rights is nothing new for Lake County Deputies, and I do not anticipate any major issues at this point.
Sheriff Frank Leonbruno
