An Ohio Firearm Bill of Sale is a document that records a gun sale and transfer in the state.
It is a form a gun seller and buyer sign to evidence their willing participation in the firearm sale and record details about the transaction.
Ohio has no official firearm bill of sale or firearm transfer form.
However, you should create an Ohio firearm bill of sale to protect your rights when buying or selling a firearm.
You may purchase a gun without a waiting period in Ohio.
State Laws for Selling a Gun in Ohio
Minimum Age to Purchase
Are at least 21 years old for handguns.
Permit for Purchase
None required.
Register a Gun
Ohio does not require registration or licensing for firearms. [1]
Ohio does not require any record-keeping for firearms sales or background checks.
Open Carry Permit
Ohio permits individuals, otherwise not prohibited from carrying a firearm, to open and concealed carry firearms anywhere in the state unless otherwise restricted.
Concealed Carry Permit
In 2022, Ohio enacted a new law that allows any Ohio resident over the age of 21 to carry a concealed handgun without a permit.
If otherwise not prohibited, Ohio permits citizens from carrying a firearm, to concealed carry firearms anywhere in the state unless otherwise restricted.
Concealed carry, even with a valid permit, is prohibited at schools, government buildings, and houses of worship (churches, synagogues, or mosques) unless otherwise posted at that location. [2]
Residents may apply for a concealed-handgun license if they wish to carry their Ohio firearm in states with reciprocity with Ohio.
How to Apply
Ohio is a “shall-issue” state. This means the state will issue a concealed-handgun license to anyone otherwise qualified.
An Ohio resident is qualified if they:
- Are at least 21 years old
- Are a legal resident of the United States and a resident of the county of application for at least 30 days and have been living in Ohio for at least 45 days
- Are not a fugitive from justice
- Are not under indictment or have not been convicted of a felony or violent misdemeanor
- Are not under a protection order from any state
- Complete a firearms safety training course
You can submit an Application for License to Carry a Concealed Handgun to the sheriff’s department of your county of residence or an adjacent county.
There may be additional requirements beyond those listed here.
Step 1 – Fill Out Application
Complete a State of Ohio Application for License to Carry a Concealed Handgun.
Step 2 – Attach Documentation
Attach the following items to your application
- A color passport-style photo taken no more than 30 days prior to submission
- Proof of competency with a firearm [3]
- Fingerprints as outlined [3]
- Proof of Alien Registration Number (if you do not live in the US)
- Proof of Ohio employment (if you do not live in Ohio).
Step 3 – Turn in Application
Submit the application to your local county sheriff, or the sheriff department of a county adjacent to your county of residence or employment.
Step 4 – Pay Fees
All applicants must pay an application fee (check with your local sheriff’s department).
Step 5 – Pass Background Check
Pass a federal criminal background check.
Step 6 – Wait for Approval or Denial
The sheriff’s office approves or denies applications within 45 days of receiving them.
Gun Reciprocity
Ohio currently has concealed carry reciprocity with these states: [4]
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- Colorado
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Idaho
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Michigan
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Mexico
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Oklahoma
- Pennsylvania
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Restrictions on Firearm Ownership
Ohio has no laws regarding the private sales of firearms between individuals.
Requirements
Ohio code prohibits: [5]
- Selling, lending, or giving a firearm to any individual prohibited by law from possessing a firearm
- Receiving a firearm with the intent to dispose of it in violation of this provision
Restrictions
Ohio uses federal restrictions for its baseline prohibitions on firearm purchasers.
Individuals who may not own firearms include: [6]
- Fugitives from justice
- Persons convicted of a felony offense of violence
- Persons convicted of a felony offense involving illegal possession, use, sale, or distribution of drugs
- “Violent career criminals” – is defined as a career criminal as someone who has had two or more convictions for a violent felony offense, not part of the same criminal offense, within the past 8 years [7]
- Persons who are drug dependent or chronic alcoholic
- Persons who have been committed to mental institutions or found by a court to be mentally ill
- Minors under the age of 18 (rifles and long guns) or 21 (handguns)
Ohio has no state law prohibiting firearm ownership for those with domestic violence convictions or subject to a domestic violence restraining order.
Firearm Inheritance
If the individual receiving the firearm is of legal age (18 for rifles and long guns, 21 for handguns), they may possess firearms.
Ohio has no specific laws regarding the inheritance of firearms.
