Ohio Governor Mike Dewine Signs Bill Removing Concealed Carry Permit and Training

MUSKINGUM COUNTY, Ohio- Earlier this week Governor Mike Dewine signed off on a bill that now makes a concealed weapons permit optional for anyone legally allowed to carry a gun. 

The law will also eliminate the requirement of training and for individuals notifying the police that they are carrying, but law enforcement will still have the authority to ask the individual if they are carrying. 

Muskingum County Sheriff Matt Lutz talked about what this means for law enforcement and the people of Muskingum County. 

“Even with a permit you had to come out and fill out the application for a background check and so then that check gave us the information we needed to know whether you’re even allowed to possess a firearm and to get the permit,” Sheriff Lutz stated. “So, it’s taking that away from law enforcement and taking that away from the public, but you are still under that obligation. So if you have a criminal record and you have something on your record that would prevent you from getting a CCW permit then you’re not going to be able to carry a firearm.”

The new law will take place on June 12 for ages 21 and older to carry without a permit and training. Ohio is the 23rd state to pass a permit for optional concealed carry law.   

Even though Governor Dewine signed off on the bill, Lutz said the Sheriff’s office will be taking their efforts in creating a training class that focuses on how to properly use a gun. 

“But what I would like to do is provide a gun safety course through the sheriff’s office. So to help out with this I would like to see maybe a two hour course where we have certified instructors teach our people. I have a deputy lieutenant that works for me that has his own CCW business on the side, they are very good at instructing,” Sheriff Lutz said. “That’s the major concern for me right now is the gun safety part of it because again there’s places where you can carry it, there’s situations of how to get into when you’re going to use it and there’s a lot of ramifications.”

The law will still allow the option for businesses to ban guns on their property. 

Lutz said they are not sure when their course will take place, but for now there’s faith in the citizens and they are satisfied the bill obligates individuals to state if the weapon is present when asked.