Ohio's CCW Law

CCW Pamphlet in PDF Format

CCW Application in PDF Format

Carrying a Concealed Weapon

Individuals who have received 12 hours of handgun safety training may apply for the CCW license at the Wayne County Justice Center, 201 W. North Street, Wooster.

We will process applications Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 8:00 am to 1:00 pm and from 2:00 pm to 4:30 pm. Appointments will not be scheduled. Applicants will be processed on a first come first serve basis.

Applicants must have the following for their applications to be processed:

A signed certificate from a NRA or OPOTC trainer indicating that the applicant has successfully completed a 12 hour handgun safety class.

A completed application including a "passport" style photograph.

A state issued identification card.

A money order or cashiers check for the amount of $55.00 payable to the Wayne County Sheriff's Office. Cash or personal checks will not be accepted.

DO NOT bring any firearms with you when you apply!

For further information please call: Randy Purdy at 330-287-5776 or Capt. Doug Hunter at 330-287-5758. You may also email Randy Purdy by clicking here.

A Summary of the Law:

The Sheriff's Office will coordinate all background checks and issuances of CCW permits for private citizens in their respective counties.

« The Ohio peace officer training commission shall prepare a pamphlet that contains the text of the firearms laws for the state of Ohio.

« Firearms will not be permitted in liquor establishments/liquor is being dispensed, school safety zones, courtroom, structure where courtroom is located, police station, sheriff's office, state highway patrol station, bureau of criminal identification and investigation, state correctional institute, jail, workhouse, other detention facility, airport passenger terminal, premises of any public or private college/university or institute of higher education, church/synagogue/mosque or other place of worship unless the handgun is in a locked motor vehicle or the licensee is in the immediate process of placing the handgun in a locked motor vehicle.

« Any retired peace officer, person, federal law enforcement officer, corrections officer, active/reserve member of the armed forces who has retired within three years and had successfully completed a basic firearms training program is potentially eligible for a CCW permit.

« A CCW permit shall be issued by a Sheriff's Office within 45 days after all proper paperwork and training is completed. The cost is to be no more than $55.00 per application.

« License is valid for 5 years with a 30-day grace period for renewal at the end of the 5-year license period. There is no renewal-training requirement to obtain an additional five-year CCW license.

« There is a $15.00 replacement fee for any lost CCW license permit.

« The training requirement must consist of a minimum of 12 hours of both classroom and range instruction to include the following:

1. Ability to name, explain and demonstrate the rules for safe handling of a handgun.

2. The ability to demonstrate and explain how to handle ammunition in a safe manner.

3. The ability to demonstrate the knowledge, skills and aptitude necessary to shoot a handgun in a safe manner.

4. Range Time, live fire training and gun handling training.

5. Pass a competency examination that shall include a written section on the ability to name and explain the rules for the safe handling of a handgun and proper storage practices for handguns and ammunition.

6. Pass a physical demonstration of competence in the use of a handgun and in the rules for safe handling and storage of a handgun and a physical demonstration of the aptitude necessary to shoot a handgun in a safe manner.

Persons Not Eligible to Obtain a License to Carry a Concealed Weapon

The sheriff cannot grant a license to carry a concealed firearm to any of the following persons (sec. 2923.123(B):

1. A person under 21 years of age;

2. A person who is a fugitive from justice;

3. A person against whom proceedings are pending for any felony, any misdemeanor that is an offense of violence, or the offense of falsification of a concealed firearm license or possessing a revoked concealed firearm license (see "New offenses of falsification of a concealed firearm license and possessing a revoked concealed firearm license" below);

4. A person who has been convicted of a felony of violence or has been adjudicated a delinquent child for committing an act that would be felony of violence if committed by an adult, if the person has not been relieved from disability to have a weapon;

5. A person who has been convicted or pleaded guilty to an offense involving the illegal possession, use, sale, administration, distribution, or trafficking in any drug of abuse or has been adjudicated a delinquent child for committing an act that would be an offense involving the illegal possession, use, sale, administration, distribution, or trafficking in any drug of abuse if committed by an adult;

6. A person who is drug dependent, in danger of drug dependence, or a chronic alcoholic;

7. A person who is under adjudication of mental competence.