Since Ohio adopted permitless (“constitutional”) carry in June 2022, qualifying adults 21 and older may carry a concealed handgun without a license. But R.C. 2923.12 still prohibits carrying concealed weapons by those who are not qualifying adults — including people under disability, those carrying in prohibited locations, those failing to promptly notify or comply during a stop, or those carrying while intoxicated or carrying prohibited weapons. A first CCW offense is generally a first-degree misdemeanor; it rises to a felony with priors or aggravating circumstances.
Because firearms are usually discovered during a stop or search, the constitutionality of that search is the dominant issue — if the gun was found unlawfully, it can be suppressed.
How Ohio Classifies & Punishes Carrying Concealed Weapons
| Circumstance | Classification | Exposure |
|---|---|---|
| Carrying concealed weapon (handgun, baseline) | Misdemeanor 1 | Up to 180 days; up to $1,000 |
| Concealed deadly weapon other than handgun | Misdemeanor 1 | Up to 180 days; up to $1,000 |
| With prior CCW / aggravating circumstances | Felony 4 | 6–18 months prison |
| Carrying while intoxicated / in prohibited place | Enhanced | Higher degree by circumstance |
How We Defend Carrying Concealed Weapons Charges
An arrest is an accusation, not a verdict. Our defense of a carrying concealed weapons charge begins with the questions the State would rather not answer:
- Whether any search of your person, car, phone, or home complied with the Fourth Amendment — illegally obtained evidence can be suppressed.
- Whether the police had a lawful basis for the stop, the detention, or the encounter that led to the charge.
- Whether you are a qualifying adult entitled to permitless carry.
- Whether the weapon was actually “concealed” and on or about your person.
- Whether any notification/compliance requirement was actually violated.
We bring that same disciplined approach — testing every procedure, every protocol, and every piece of the State’s evidence — to carrying concealed weapons cases across our nine-county Southern Ohio footprint. Where the evidence supports it, we negotiate for reduction or dismissal; where it does not, we are prepared to try the case.
Carrying Concealed Weapons — Common Questions
Isn't carrying a gun legal in Ohio now?
For qualifying adults 21 and older, Ohio allows permitless concealed carry. But CCW is still charged against people who are prohibited from carrying, who carry in off-limits locations, who carry while intoxicated, or who fail to comply with notification rules during a stop. Whether you were a qualifying adult is a threshold defense.
Can the gun be suppressed?
Often that's the whole case. Firearms are typically found during a stop, frisk, or vehicle search — and if that search violated the Fourth Amendment, the weapon can be suppressed, which usually ends the prosecution.
When is CCW a felony?
A first offense is generally a first-degree misdemeanor. Prior weapons convictions, carrying while intoxicated, or carrying in certain prohibited circumstances can elevate it to a felony.
Talk to a Weapons Offenses Defense Attorney Today
If you or someone you love is facing a carrying concealed weapons charge in Lawrence, Scioto, Jackson, Gallia, Athens, Adams, Meigs, Pike, or Ross County, call (740) 532-8744 for a free, confidential consultation. We have offices in Ironton and Chesapeake and respond the same business day in most cases.