WARNING SIGNS

FIREARMS

Amended Substitute House Bill 12 ("H.B. 12"), which is known as the "Concealed Carry Bill," became law on April 8, 2004. The Division has received numerous calls from permit holders wanting to know when the Division will be providing the new signs as provided for in H.B. 12. However, permit holders need to be aware that the Division's requirement for providing warning signs regarding carrying firearms has not changed.

The Division is required to provide Firearms Warning Signs to holders of a class D liquor permit as set forth in Ohio Revised Code Section 4301.637(B). H.B. 12 does not require the Division to provide additional signs. The Division will continue to provide the Firearms Warning Sign to new class D permit holders.

What appears to be causing confusion in the industry is that this new law appears to allow private employers, including liquor permit businesses, the right to post a sign at their place of employment that no person can carry a concealed weapon onto that employer's premises. However, the Division is not required to provide the Firearms Warning Signs referred to above to anyone other than class D permit holders.

In addition, H.B. 12 prohibits any person, including state employees, to carry a concealed weapon in a building owned or leased by the state of Ohio, unless otherwise authorized by law. This includes Division facilities.

Permit holders need to understand their rights and responsibilities under this new law regarding the carrying of firearms. We suggest that permit holders who have questions or concerns about how H.B. 12 affects their business consult with private legal counsel.

FIREARM warning

UNDER 18. UNDER 21.

Establishments selling Beer, Wine and/or Intoxicting Liquor, have "Warning Signs" posted in their establishment notifying patrons of various laws they may be breaking if the patron is "Under the age of 18", and, "Under the age of 21". For the convenience of all permit holders, those signs are below.

UNDER AGE 18 warning
UNDER AGE 21 warning