Know the Law!
http://www.ohioattorneygeneral.gov/Law-Enforcement/Concealed-Carry
This is where you will find all the Ohio State Attorney General information concerning the carrying of a concealed weapon in Ohio.
You ARE NOT permitted to carry without completing a course, and applying for, paying for, and obtaining a license from either YOUR county’s Sheriff’s Department, OR an adjacent County’s Sheriff’s Department!
At the above site, there is a link to find CCW instructors. In Dayton, there are many, and I am in process of obtaining a comprehensive list. At this point, I recommend you go to the class that I attended, that is led by NRA certified Instructors, as required by law:
The Miami Armory, 8945 Kingsridge Dr., Dayton, OH 45458 — Phone: (937) 660-3554
These guys are very knowledgeable, have a good selection of firearms (Mostly rifle and pistol last I was there), they have good prices, and are very professional and helpful.
Be advised, this is NOT an advertisement, just a solid recommendation. Go wherever you want, just be sure it is led by NRA Certified Basic Pistol Instructors.
The other places that I can think of off the top of my head would be: “GunSport” in Centerville, OH, and possibly, “Springboro Shooting Sports”, Main Street, Springboro, OH. I’ll get the actual and complete information posted here ASAP, but if you are in a hurry just use a search engine to find these places.
Again, be advised, it is REQUIRED that you have a CCW license to carry a concealed firearm in Ohio. Doing so without a permit IS A FELONY! SO DON’T DO IT!
Also be advised, convicted felons are not permitted to purchase handguns (for certain….not sure about “long guns”, but that info would be at the Attorney General site as well I think).
OK, now that the basic info is out of the way, let’s talk about WHY AND HOW one should carry a concealed handgun in Dayton, Ohio.
First and foremost, CCW is simply for self-defense. Now, that does not mean that you can pull your weapon and shoot someone just because you are in a heated argument or insanely mad at them. One must be be able to articulate how one was in fear for their life, or severe bodily harm before pulling or using that handgun. Now, that is not the actual language of the law. These are my words, and you should not take them as being law. Go to the Attorney General Site, READ the law, and then take the CCW class from an NRA certified instructor. I am paraphrasing here — be it known that I am not an attorney or legal representative of any sort, and you should consult such a person with questions regarding acceptable use of your properly licensed concealed weapon.
Now that we have that out of the way, let us discuss some common sense “CCW” logic:
- ALWAYS be aware of your surroundings. This is a good practice whether you carry or not.Do not take the attitude that, “I’m armed so I can go and do whatever the hell I want!” That sort of attitude would almost indubitably land your butt in prison. So just be calm, cool, and collected
- REMEMBER, your primary weapon is your BRAIN! Use it! Don’t go places you do not belong, especially at night.
- Do not walk through strange neighborhoods, especially at night.
- Secure your home with the proper locks & such.
- Keep your car locked at all times, and when you leave it parked somewhere, ensure that all valuables are well hidden or, preferably, in the trunk.
- Remember that when you are legally carrying a concealed firearm, your firearm MUST be holstered at all times, whether on your person, or in your vehicle. Unholstered firearms are very susceptible to accidental discharge, thereby endangering YOU AND INNOCENT BYSTANDERS.
- Use a proper holster, and proper clothing to conceal your weapon. It’s “Concealed” Carry, NOT “Open” Carry! So keep that puppy well hidden. The fewer people that know you are actually armed, the better. That may sound odd to you, but trust me, it is like the person who picks a fight with the biggest guy in a bar to prove himself. Do not be, or try to be “the biggest guy” and attract that sort of negative attention.
- By the way, as far as bars go, just don’t drink and carry concealed at the same time. For one, I’m pretty sure it is illegal. Secondly, alcohol loosens your inhibitions, and can make you way too quick to show or use your weapon in an unacceptable manner. My personal rule of thumb is, if I have my sidearm on me, then I do NOT drink at all, anytime, anywhere. Again, READ and KNOW the law at the Attorney General site for specifics on where you are, and are not allowed to carry. Period.
These are just some tidbits of my own personal advice. Again, I am not a lawyer or legal type person, and this is not legal advice. It is MY common sense advice. I have been carrying concealed for over fourteen months, and I have yet to be in a situation wherein it was necessary for me to even show my weapon, much less, use it!
Oh, one more little tidbit before I sign out for the evening:
PAY ATTENTION TO THE ENTRANCE DOORS TO THE BUSINESSES YOU FREQUENT, AND WATCH FOR THE NO CARRY SIGNS! CARRYING IN A FACILITY WHERE SUCH A SIGN IS POSTED IS A FELONY OFFENSE, AND WILL COST YOU YOUR CARRY RIGHTS FOR LIFE. FOR THAT MATTER, SO WILL DOMESTIC VIOLENCE CONVICTIONS. READ, AND RE-READ THE LAW AT THE ATTORNEY GENERAL SITE. LEARN IT. KNOW IT. LIVE BY IT. YOU DO NOT WANT TO LAND YOURSELF IN PRISON FOR A STUPID, PREVENTABLE MISTAKE. Here is a picture of that sign:
Thanks for your time and attention to this post, and have a great night!
Founder, http://www.gunrightsdaytonohio.wordpress.com
Gun Rights: Dayton, Ohio 