Ohio and Louisiana Sign Concealed Carry Reciprocity Agreement

Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine and Louisiana State Police Colonel Mike Edmonson have signed an agreement that permits reciprocity between their states for citizens who have valid concealed carry permits.

“I am pleased that this agreement between Ohio and Louisiana will allow Ohioans who have concealed carry permits the same rights to carry a concealed handgun in the State of Louisiana, as well as Louisianans who have concealed carry permits to do the same in Ohio,” said Attorney General DeWine.

Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal said, “This is an important step as we work to ensure the rights of law-abiding gun owners are protected all across our nation. The Second Amendment protects our freedom, the right to defend ourselves and the ability to hunt and enjoy the great outdoors – and we must always honor and uphold those values in Louisiana.”

“It is a pleasure for Louisiana to join with Ohio in expanding reciprocity of our respective concealed handgun permit programs. Receiving a permit is an involved process which requires training, as well as, submission to an extensive background investigation. As such, we are proud to extend the rights to carry concealed to those who have successfully completed this process,” said Colonel Mike Edmonson.

Ohio law permits the Attorney General to enter into written agreements with other states whose laws are “substantially comparable” to Ohio’s eligibility requirements for a license to carry a concealed handgun. In Louisiana, this authority falls under the Louisiana State Police.

Louisiana’s and Ohio’s concealed carry laws are very similar to one another. Both states require a background check for long-term residents of their state or an FBI III check for short-term residents of their states, and both require training in order to be eligible for a concealed carry license.

Concealed carry permit holders will be required to comply with all of the other state’s laws regarding possession, transportation, storage and use of concealed weapons and all other applicable laws except those regarding the issuance, suspension, revocation and renewal of concealed weapons licenses, which remain within the power of the issuing state.

Each state will make their verification systems available to the other to be able to check the status of the other state’s concealed carry licenses.

The agreement remains in force unless statutory authority for it is withdrawn by either of the state’s legislatures or terminated in writing by either party upon 30 days notice.

With the addition of Louisiana, Ohio now has reciprocity agreements with twenty-one states. With the addition of Ohio, Louisiana now has reciprocity agreements with thirty-six states.

Source: Buckeye Firearms