On December 19, 2016, Governor John Kasich signed Senate Bill 199, a law that authorizes CCW holders to carry, transport, or store a concealed weapon in areas currently prohibited. The law will go into effect on March 21, 2017.

Firearms in Employee Vehicles:

Under this law, employee CCW holders will have the right to transport and store firearms in their personal vehicle. After the law goes into effect, a business entity, property owner, or public or private employer may not establish, maintain, or enforce a policy or rule that prohibits or has the effect of prohibiting an employee CCW holder from transporting or storing a firearm or ammunition when both of the following conditions are met: 1. The firearm and all ammunition must remain inside the employee’s personal vehicle when the employee is in the vehicle or must be locked in the glove compartment, trunk, or secure compartment; 2. The employee’s personal vehicle is in a location it is otherwise permitted to be. (e.g. Employer parking lot). The new law also provides the business entity, property owner, or public or private employer with immunity in civil actions for damages, injuries, or death resulting from a person’s actions involving a firearm or ammunition transported or stored.

Firearms in Public Buildings:

Under the new law, the State of Ohio, political subdivisions, and colleges now have the authority to enact a policy, rule, ordinance, or statute permitting CCW holders to carry a concealed handgun into public buildings over which they have control. This authority is not limitless. CCW holders are still prohibited from carrying a concealed weapon into a police station, sheriff’s office, state highway patrol station, state correctional facility or jail, among other places. Further, a CCW holder cannot carry a concealed handgun into a courthouse or another building or structure in which a courtroom is located, or a place in which federal law prohibits the carrying of handguns.

It is unclear how many public entities will permit CCW holders to carry a concealed handgun in various public buildings after the law takes effect.

Firearms in Other Places:

CCW holders will now be able to carry a concealed handgun into non-secure areas of public airports. Specifically, a CCW holder may carry a concealed handgun into areas of a public airport that are not beyond a passenger or property screening checkpoint or to which access is restricted through security measures by the airport authority or a public agency. The new law also eliminates the blanket prohibition of CCW holders carrying a concealed handgun into daycare centers. However, daycare centers still maintain the right to post no concealed carry signs, as does any private business.

Conclusion:

Before the law takes effect, employers, businesses, and public entities, should review their concealed carry practices and policies relative to employees, property, and/or buildings to ensure compliance with the new law.

Please contact FHKAD attorney Frank Hatfield at fhatfield@fishelhass.com with any questions.