Ohio Gun Laws 2026

Ohio requires no permit to purchase a gun, no firearm registration and no state waiting period. A gun ordered online ships to a licensed dealer you choose, where you show a government photo ID, complete federal Form 4473 and pass a NICS background check. Since Senate Bill 215 took effect in June 2022, a qualifying adult aged 21 or older who may lawfully have a handgun can carry a concealed handgun without a license. The county sheriff still issues the concealed handgun license for people who want one. These rules are as of September 2026.

Buying a gun in Ohio

Ohio Revised Code 9.68 preempts local gun ordinances, so the same buying rules apply in every city and county. At the dealer counter the buyer shows a government photo ID, completes federal Form 4473 and passes a NICS check. Under federal rules, dealers sell handguns to buyers 21 and older and rifles and shotguns to buyers 18 and older.

Private sales between Ohio residents need no background check. A seller may never hand a gun to a person the seller knows is prohibited from having one.

Ordering online and shipping to an Ohio dealer

Handguns, rifles and shotguns do not ship to a home address. The order goes to a licensed FFL dealer you pick in Ohio, and the transfer is completed there after the Form 4473 and NICS check. Ammunition, optics and most parts ship to your door, and an adult signature may be required on delivery.

Carrying a gun and permits

Senate Bill 215 took effect in June 2022, and Ohio now has permitless carry. A qualifying adult, meaning a person 21 or older who is not barred from having a handgun under Ohio or federal law, may carry a concealed handgun without a license. The concealed handgun license is still issued by the county sheriff, and many people keep one because it is honored in a long list of other states.

Ohio no longer requires a carrier to volunteer that they are armed. A carrier must answer honestly if an officer asks during a stop, as required by ORC 2923.12 and 2923.16. The off-limits list in ORC 2923.126 still applies everywhere.

Hunting rules for the 2026-27 season

Ohio runs one statewide deer season structure and sets bag limits county by county. The 2026-27 dates are:

Statewide archery season: Sept. 26, 2026 through Feb. 7, 2027
Youth gun season: Nov. 21-22, 2026
Deer-gun week: Nov. 30 through Dec. 6, 2026
Bonus gun weekend: Dec. 19-20, 2026
Muzzleloader season: Jan. 2-5, 2027

Legal hunting firearms are:

Shotguns from 10 gauge down to .410 firing one slug
Muzzleloaders of .38 caliber or larger
Handguns in straight-walled cartridges of .357 Magnum or larger
Rifles in straight-walled cartridges from .357 to .515 holding no more than three rounds

Check the county bag limit and the current regulations with the ODNR Division of Wildlife before you buy tags.

Buying and carrying requirements at a glance

Requirement	Ohio rule
Permit to purchase	None
Firearm registration	None, and no state registry
Waiting period	None
Minimum age for a handgun from a dealer	21
Minimum age for a rifle or shotgun from a dealer	18
Background check at a dealer	NICS check with Form 4473
Background check in a private sale between Ohio residents	None required
Carry permit for a qualifying adult	Not required
Concealed handgun license	Optional, issued by the county sheriff
Duty when stopped by an officer	Answer honestly if asked

Frequently asked questions

Does Ohio require a permit to buy a gun?

No. Ohio has no permit to purchase and no state registry. The buyer shows ID, completes Form 4473 and passes a NICS check at the dealer who receives the order.

Does a person need a license to carry concealed in Ohio?

Not if the person is a qualifying adult aged 21 or older who may lawfully have a handgun. The county sheriff still issues the concealed handgun license, and many holders keep one because other states honor it.

Can a gun ship directly to a home address in Ohio?

No. Handguns, rifles and shotguns go to a licensed FFL dealer you choose, where the paperwork and background check are completed. Ammunition, optics and most parts ship to the door.

Must a carrier tell an officer about the gun?

Only when the officer asks during a stop, and then the answer must be honest. Senate Bill 215, effective June 2022, removed the duty to volunteer that a person is armed.

Laws change; confirm current rules with the state agencies named on this page.