SB 392 - Freedom to Carry Act would expand Ohio gun rights on multiple fronts

Newly introduced Senate Bill 392, known as the Freedom to Carry Act, would, among other things, rename a concealed handgun license a concealed weapons license, allow a concealed weapons licensee to carry a concealed deadly weapon other than an exclusive deadly weapon, allow the possession or transportation of a loaded firearm while in a motor vehicle or vessel, and lower the age of "qualifying adult" from 21 to 18.

SB 392, introduced March 23 by Sens. Al Cutrona (R-Canfield) and Terry Johnson (R-McDermott) and referred to the Senate General Government Committee on March 25, proposes significant revisions to Ohio’s weapons laws by expanding the scope of lawful carry, broadening the definition and treatment of “deadly weapons,” and reinforcing statewide preemption over local regulation. The legislation renames the current concealed handgun licensing framework and substantially increases the rights of license holders and individuals generally with respect to possession, transport, and carry.

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In numerous places, the bill replaces "handgun" with "deadly weapon that is not an exclusive deadly weapon." Exclusive in this case refers to "a deadly weapon that is an exclusive firearm or that is a deadly weapon that any law of this state or the United States prohibits the subject person from acquiring, possessing, having, or carrying."

Furthermore, the bill operates within federal constraints but would expand rights to the maximum extent permitted under federal law.

Key impacts

• License holders would no longer be limited to concealed handguns, and they would be permitted to carry a broader category of weapons under state law.
• Ohio law would shift from a firearm-centric regulatory scheme to a broader weapons framework, affecting carry laws, training materials, reciprocity agreements, and criminal statutes.
• It would significantly strengthen Ohio’s preemption law and increases liability for municipalities that attempt to regulate weapons beyond state law.
• It would expand lawful transport rights and reduce prior compliance burdens, especially for concealed carry licensees.
• SB 392 would increase interstate recognition of carry rights and simplify compliance for travelers.
• It would modernize training guidance and aligns it with expanded statutory definitions.
• Regarding law enforcement and administrative changes, administrative processes remain largely intact but are broadened in scope.
• It would ensure that enforcement mechanisms remain consistent despite expanded rights.

Buckeye Firearms Association is still reviewing the details of the bill, which is quite long at 182 pages, and will update our Legislation page, where you can see BFA's support of and opposition to other bills making their way through the 136th Ohio General Assembly.

Stay tuned!

Joe D. "Buck" Ruth, a pen name for Scott Hummel, is a longtime small-game hunter and gun owner who spent nearly three decades in the news industry. He is the website and social-media manager for Buckeye Firearms Association.