Carrying concealed, or packin’ heat where no one can see it (CCW), is all about keeping a weapon—usually a handgun—on you or within arm’s reach, ready to roll. The second you strap iron to your side or stash it loaded in your ride, you’re playing by the rules of state and local gun laws. That’s the name of the game.
Back in the day, Ohio was one of the old-school hardliners against carrying concealed weapons, outlawing it way back in 1859. They weren’t the first, though—states like Kentucky, Louisiana, and a handful of others beat them to it earlier in the 1800s. Fast forward to the mid-‘90s, and most states still weren’t handing out CCW permits. But times changed, and in the last couple of decades, the tide has shifted. Illinois had been the last state without such a provision – but its long-standing ban on concealed weapons was overturned in 2013 in a federal appeals court on Constitutional grounds. Now, every single state in the U.S. has a system for carrying concealed —whether it’s “Shall Issue” or “May Issue.”
Here’s the lowdown: “Shall Issue” states play it straight—you meet the requirements, you get the permit, no questions asked. “May Issue” states? They’re a little trickier, making you jump through hoops and still leaving it up to their judgment whether you’re good to go.
Although the permit number peaked in 2022, the drop in the number of concealed carry permits in 2024 compared to 2023 was relatively small (less than 2%), with at least 21.46 million adult permit-holders currently in the United States. In Ohio, since they kicked off the CCW game back in 2004, about 800,000 permits have been handed out. Last year alone, 15,581 new ones rolled off the line, and 75,001 riders renewed their licenses. That’s a lot of folks ready to roll strapped, but here’s where it gets wild – in June 2022, Ohio dropped the “permit required” nonsense. Now, if you’re 21 or older and clean under the law, you can carry concealed without the paperwork. No permit, no problem.
Before 1897, the feds didn’t have much to say about carrying concealed. That changed with Robertson v. Baldwin, when the Supreme Court dropped a line in a maritime law case. They basically said state laws clamping down on concealed weapons didn’t mess with the Second Amendment. It wasn’t the main focus of the case, but it set the stage.
Then came 2008’s heavyweight bout—District of Columbia v. Heller. For the first time in U.S. history, the High Court laid it out clear: the Second Amendment isn’t just about “well-regulated militias.” It’s a right that belongs to the people—private citizens who want to keep and bear arms. The Justices didn’t say it’s a free-for-all, though. They backed “sensible restrictions” but put the brakes on outright bans, like the one D.C. had on handguns. The catch? The ruling only covered federal zones, like D.C.
Fast forward to June 28, 2010, and the game changed again. In McDonald v. Chicago, the Supreme Court threw Chicago’s handgun ban into the scrap heap and extended the Heller decision nationwide. Now states and cities had to play by the same rules—no outright bans on guns, period.
So we’ve got the basics locked down on Ohio’s gun laws and a taste of history, but here’s the million-dollar question: What happens when you gotta cross state lines? Say you’ve got a deposition in Kentucky, a hearing in Pennsylvania, or a trial in Indiana—can you pack your piece and ride free?
Here’s the deal: crossing state lines with a firearm is like navigating a minefield. Gun laws are all over the place, with every state running its own game. Some states are chill; others will slap you with fines or worse. It’s a political battleground, so there’s no one-size-fits-all answer.
That said, there’s a bit of hope: Reciprocity. Think of it like a handshake deal between states that says, “We’ll recognize your permits if you recognize ours.” It’s kind of like how your driver’s license works across the country—or even marriage licenses. Reciprocity comes from the Constitution’s “full faith and credit” clause, which means states are supposed to respect each other’s legal documents.
But don’t get cocky—reciprocity isn’t universal. Here’s the deal: 37 states have some kind of reciprocity agreement with at least one other state. If you’ve got your Ohio permit, you’re good in many places, but don’t get too comfortable. 12 states, like Arkansas, Indiana, Kentucky, and Utah, honor all valid out-of-state permits without giving you any hassle. On the flip side, you’ve got 10 hardliners—like California, New York, and Hawaii—that don’t recognize anyone else’s permits, period. Then there are the picky states that require extra training or safety exams and won’t honor permits from states that don’t meet their standards.
Ohio’s got reciprocity agreements with 23 states, including AK, AZ, AR, DE, FL, ID, KS, KY, LA, MI, MO, NE, NM, NC, ND, OK, SC, TN, UT, VA, WA, WV, and WY. That means you’re good to carry in their territory as long as you’re playing by the rules. With your Ohio permit, you’re welcome in 32 states, including AL, AK, AZ, AR, DE, FL, ID, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, MI, MN, MS, MO, MT, NE, NV, NM, NC, ND, OK, SC, SD, TN, UT, VT, VA, WA, WV, and WY. But don’t even think about packing in places like CA, CO, CT, GA, HI, IL, ME, MD, MA, NH, NJ, NY, OR, PA, RI, TX, WI, DC, and U.S. Territories—your permit’s not worth squat there. Now, flip the script: Ohio honors permits from those same 23 states it has reciprocity with, but leaves out 26 others like AL, CA, CO, CT, GA, HI, IL, IN, IA, ME, MD, MA, MN, MS, MT, NV, NH, NJ, NY, OR, PA, RI, SD, TX, VT, and WI. Bottom line? Check your route, know the laws, and don’t get caught riding dirty. Freedom’s yours, but respect the rules, and you’ll ride safe.
Keep in mind that most states and localities have their own laws about transporting firearms. You’ve gotta know and follow the rules in every place you roll through. Federal law won’t jam you up for hauling legally acquired guns across state lines, but each state’s got its quirks. The general rule? Keep that piece unloaded, locked in a case, and stashed where it’s out of reach. Ammo? Separate and locked up, too.
Flying? The TSA’s got their own rules. All firearms and ammo have to be declared—either out loud or in writing—and checked in with the airline in a hard-sided locked case. Guns and ammo in carry-ons? Forget about it. Those go in the belly of the plane, not the cabin.
Look, this is just scratching the surface of a complicated web of laws and rules. Don’t take this as legal gospel—it’s just a heads-up to keep you from stepping in it. Always do your homework, know the law, and ride smart. Carrying comes with responsibility, so don’t let ignorance wreck your freedom.
(You can use this website to quickly calculate your reciprocity: https:// www.usconcealedcarry.com/resources/ccw_reciprocity_map/oh-gun-laws/)
