Open Carry in Columbus

[C.J. Roberts]

Greetings,
I am a new member here, but not to carrying or shooting. I'm from Columbus, but have lived in Tucson Az. for twenty five years. Open carry is not a big deal here, but I was wondering about in Columbus.
I know that it's legal, but am concerned that it will still cause a problem when I visit.
Your thoughts and experiences are appreciated.

C.J. Roberts

 

[mark1123]

I lived in Columbus for 2 years and regularly visit now. I've never had a problem and I open carry 90% of the time.

 

[Brian D.]

Welcome to Ohio. Most of the state is pretty good-to-go with open carry, but many here would still advise you to carry a recording device just in case. MUCH time and effort has been spent by gun-rights groups to educate law enforcement on this matter, but it just doesn't always sink in, so it seems.

These days most such (negative) encounters seem to be in the NE part of Ohio, for what it's worth. And, we never stop working on the problem, along with improving firearms freedom in general.

 

[color of law]

I don't know why anyone would want to visit the State Capitol, but if you do, contrary to Capitol rules you are legally allowed to open carry on Capitol grounds.

http://www.ohiostatehouse.org/about/csrab/rules

128-4-02 Capitol buildings or grounds use: general rules and requirement of a permit.

(G) Any individual or group present in or on the capitol buildings or grounds, whether or not a permit holder, must abide by the following regulations for use. In addition to the following regulations for use, the board reserves the right to regulate any conduct or activity not appropriate or consistent with the use of the capitol buildings or grounds as described in this regulation, or that may cause damage to state property or pose a hazard to any member of the public or state employee.
(10) Weapons - with the exception of those carried by peace officers in the course of their duties and as expressly authorized under section 105.41(N) of the Revised Code, firearms or other weapons, concealed or otherwise, are prohibited within the capitol buildings and grounds without the express written permission of the board.

The prohibition on the grounds is contrary to law and cannot be enforced.

Just tell them, if you are questioned about open carrying on the grounds, that you have it on good authority that the rule is in violation of Ohio law.

 

[C.J. Roberts]

I don't know why anyone would want to visit the State Capitol, but if you do, contrary to Capitol rules you are legally allowed to open carry on Capitol grounds.

http://www.ohiostatehouse.org/about/csrab/rules

128-4-02 Capitol buildings or grounds use: general rules and requirement of a permit.


The prohibition on the grounds is contrary to law and cannot be enforced.

Just tell them, if you are questioned about open carrying on the grounds, that you have it on good authority that the rule is in violation of Ohio law.

I never said anything about the Capitol, just the city itself.

 

[color of law]

I never said anything about the Capitol, just the city itself.

With all due respect, I never said you did.

 

[jmelvin]

I recognize I'm a little late to the game here, but I visit family up in the Columbus area from time to time and have never had the first issue open carrying. When visiting Ohio I let open carry be my default state, due to the screwy restrictions on concealed carry. Know the laws, carry a recorder like suggested and all should be well.

 

[solus]

Couldn’t discern a “BUCKEYE OC” thread so repurposed this one...

visited Columbus during the last part of the week through Monday OC’g everywhere w/o incident.

mild concern DJT was visiting at a venue in the immediate area i was roaming, but fortunately his venue was changed to some place else.

nice time was had without even the slightest sideways glance from passerby ~ as it should be.

 

[Brian D.]

Couldn’t discern a “BUCKEYE OC” thread so repurposed this one...

visited Columbus during the last part of the week through Monday OC’g everywhere w/o incident.

mild concern DJT was visiting at a venue in the immediate area i was roaming, but fortunately his venue was changed to some place else.

nice time was had without even the slightest sideways glance from passerby ~ as it should be.

Could you make a guesstimate as to what percentage of the people you were around even noticed you were carrying? To me, it seems like the advent of cell phones being held in front of faces by so many folks has lowered that number a good bit in the last few years.

 

[solus]

Could you make a guesstimate as to what percentage of the people you were around even noticed you were carrying? To me, it seems like the advent of cell phones being held in front of faces by so many folks has lowered that number a good bit in the last few years.

I will concede that point as it is the bane of this ‘civilized society.’

 

[Brian D.]

I don't OC all that much, but there is a marked difference in how many people even notice these days, compared to...I don't know, less than a decade ago?

Thought of this thread a couple hours ago, because during today's errand running, I had four different pedestrians just cross the street (against the light) totally unaware of my car's approach. I drive a Jeep with an internal combustion gasoline power plant, NOT one of those near-silent electric cars, just to be clear. ALL were looking at their phones. That's kind of a high number for one morning/partial afternoon behind the wheel, but it's happened before.

If people don't see or hear a car because of their gadget boxes, it's hard to imagine them noticing a fellow pedestrian openly carrying a holstered handgun. That's been my experience, anyhow.

 

[solus]

I don't OC all that much, but there is a marked difference in how many people even notice these days, compared to...I don't know, less than a decade ago?

Thought of this thread a couple hours ago, because during today's errand running, I had four different pedestrians just cross the street (against the light) totally unaware of my car's approach. I drive a Jeep with an internal combustion gasoline power plant, NOT one of those near-silent electric cars, just to be clear. ALL were looking at their phones. That's kind of a high number for one morning/partial afternoon behind the wheel, but it's happened before.

If people don't see or hear a car because of their gadget boxes, it's hard to imagine them noticing a fellow pedestrian openly carrying a holstered handgun. That's been my experience, anyhow.

Alas, tis quite enjoyable to watch folks totally absorbed in their ‘fone’ games while walking aimlessly about and just as their derrière is about to come in contact with the front end of my vehicle as i lean on my horn and their fones go flying and the shocked bug-eyed look goes across their faces as they try to discuss my heritage. Trust men i say life as i know it is good from there on.

The same perceptions of reality rolling across the faces of those citizens who discern this individual is safely, as well as in a non-aggressive, nor in a hostile manner, nor in an adversarial mode, open carrying a loaded firearm within their immediate area.

 

[color of law]

'fone' unlike the silent 'P' in phish?