Yes, you heard correctly: Buckeyes may now carry in the Keystone State!

[Editor's Note: As this news began to circulate, we received a good number of emails and inquiries on our Facebook page seeking confirmation. Our delay in publishing this article is due to two factors: 1) a desire to confirm the information with the Ohio Attorney General's office - which we have done - and 2) the editor was at the NRA Annual Meetings and then took a family vacation. Apologies for the delay!]

It is no secret to friends of mine that I am a history buff. It comes naturally with ancestors and relatives who fought in the Revolution, War of 1812, Civil War, Spanish American War, World War I and World War II, and various police actions. My family has done its share and their story interests me. A good deal of the Eastern part of the U.S. is steeped in our history, so often my travel takes me East, but frequently my carry gun has had to stay behind, by law. Few States to the Northeast recognize the Ohio CHL and it’s a pity. Revolutionary War sites in Pennsylvania like Valley Forge and Washington’s launching point across the Delaware are in Pennsylvania. I imagine most of us have gone to Gettysburg to learn of the great battle there in 1863. My blood relatives who were at all of those places had one thing in common: They carried arms into Pennsylvania, something that I could not legally do.

Now, thanks to the passage of HB 234 and it becoming law, Ohio has reciprocity with Pennsylvania. The addition of Pennsylvania to the list was done quietly by Pennsylvania’s Attorney General and without fanfare. On April 10 it was brought to my attention that the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s website recognized the Ohio CHL, though the two states have no formal agreement.

From the website of the Pennsylvania Attorney General:

Category 2: States that have statutory reciprocity under 6106(b)(15) of the Uniform Firearms Act.

The following states have been granted statutory reciprocity without a formal written agreement under 6106(b)(15), based on the determination of the Attorney General that the other state has granted reciprocity to Pennsylvania license holders, and that the other state's laws governing firearms are similar.

• Colorado
• Iowa
• Indiana
• Kansas
• Louisiana
• Montana
• North Dakota - Effective August 1, 2013 only North Dakota Class I permits are recognized in Category 2.
• Ohio
• Wisconsin

The enactment of House Bill 234 by the 130th General Assembly is one of the most significant changes to Ohio’s gun laws in years. As of March 23, 2015, among other great things, it has given Buckeyes concealed carry permit reciprocity with Colorado, Georgia, New Hampshire*, Texas*, Wisconsin* and Pennsylvania.

For the Buckeye that likes to travel this is wonderful news. The next time you see your state legislators, make sure to thank them for doing their part in expanding your right to protect yourself when you are traveling outside the confines of our lovely state. And if your legislator voted against that right, well you know what to do about them the next time they are up for re-election.

Tim Inwood is the current Legislative Liaison and Past President of the Clinton County Farmers and Sportsmen Association, an Endowment Member of the NRA and Life Member of the OGCA, a member of the Board of Directors of the OGCA, Chairman of the Clinton County Republican Party, and a volunteer for Buckeye Firearms Association.

*Wisconsin will only accept Ohio licenses issued after March 23, 2015. The Ohio/Texas reciprocity agreement has not yet been made public, but this will likely also be the case in the Lone Star.