[firefighter1635]

Originally Posted by RunningOnMT

Yeah, but it was a good discussion, and a necessary one. As far as the former guest goes, Dan could have ended the disruption any time he chose, but patiently gave the man time to contemplate the error of his ways. He may have come here looking for a fight but did little more than give everyone a big yawn.

Now, back to the discussion; I have a confession to make. Open carry is legal in Ohio but I'm one of those afraid to do it, in part because I don't know all the legal details about open carry. When taking my CCW class I asked questions about OC but the instructor said "You're going to get your CCW permit, why would you want to open carry?" My questions remained unanswered. So I'm not sure about things like if your weapon is partially concealed by clothing (like when wearing a jacket) if it still qualifies as "open" if most of it is still visible. Also not sure about the difference between open and concealed carry when in a car. So, until I'm sure I'm legal, I just don't need the hassle. Several years ago I made the argument right here on this forum that if we didn't exercise the right to open carry we'd lose it. At the time the consensus seemed to be the same as the opinion of the CCW instructor, so I just forgot about it.

RunningOnMT I too am from Ohio and I OC very often. My advise would be to find someone in your area that OC's and do it together, much less stress for a new to OC person when he's got someone doing it with him. As far as the Ohio laws regarding OC, I'll answer the ones you've posed and feel free to PM me if you have any other questions.

So I'm not sure about things like if your weapon is partially concealed by clothing (like when wearing a jacket) if it still qualifies as "open" if most of it is still visible.

Open vs. concealed has no difference in Ohio (unless you have no CHL) So if you have your CHL carry however you like, concealed completely, half concealed or totally open. It don't matter.

difference between open and concealed carry when in a car.

In Ohio in order to OC (a loaded handgun) in your vehicle you MUST have a concealed Handgun Liscense. Otherwise you have to follow the laws of transporting a firearm, Mag out of gun, gun and ammo seperated within the vehicle, yada yada yada.

This is why a CHL is good to have even if all you want to do is OC. It's too much of a pain to seperate my firearm from the magazine and ammo, drive somewhere to only have to put it back together again when I get there. Want to talk about freeking people out, stand outside Walmart at the trunk of your vehicle loading ammo into the mag of your gun as little old ladies are walking by. Now arrive there with it already loaded and holstered (CHL required if driving) and no one pays any attention.

I don't agree with States that have a concealed handgun law, but have no OC law and here is why. In the summer time I'll wear my cargo shorts and a T shirt like many other people. I kneel down or bend over in a way that my shirt rides up exposing my weapon and a LEO sees this. I've just been charged with Openly carrying a firearm even though I have a liscense to conceal it. It makes no sense to me.