What Self Defense Weapons are Legal in Ohio (2024)

FAQs

What can I carry for self-defense in Ohio? ›

Ohio doesn't directly regulate stun guns or Tasers, but you may use one of these devices only for self-defense. You can buy a stun gun or Taser in Ohio without a permit, and you can probably carry it anywhere in the state.

While many state laws specifically regulate or prohibit their use, Ohio does not have any laws addressing collapsible batons.

Stun guns are legal to carry in Ohio for self-defense purposes. Ohio has a liberal view on stun guns, as well. They can be carried concealed or "open carry." They are not considered a "firearm," so no concealed weapons permit is required.

If you are attacked and you defend yourself with a knife, you could be arrested for carrying a concealed weapon. When used as a weapon, the knife is a weapon under the law. If you had been carrying it concealed before the attack, you could be retroactively charged with CCW.

The laws around knives are still very vague, especially in the Buckeye state. However, as a general rule, if a blade is 4 inches or smaller, it isn't classified as a weapon. Thereby, making it legal for anyone to have it, even a minor. For example, it's legal for a minor to carry and make use of a basic pocket knife.

Ohioans can now also legally purchase and own certain weapons, including brass knuckles, cestuses, billy clubs, blackjacks, sandbags, switchblade knives, springblade knives and gravity knives, according to the Ohio Capital Journal.

Open carry of deadly weapons is legal under Ohio law. Just like open carrying a pistol is legal, open carry of any type of knife is legal as well.

The use of a blackjack, slapjack, or similar type of weapon is prohibited.

Current Ohio law allows legal ownership of switchblades and gravity knives, balisong (butterfly) knives and balisong trainers, ballistic knives, dirks, daggers, bowie knives, stilettos, and other stabbing knives.

In the state of Ohio, using pepper spray as a way to protect yourself is legal as long as you are not using it with the intent to harm others unnecessarily. As with other forms of non-lethal self protection you are free to carry it and use it for self defense.

Is it legal to carry bear spray in Ohio? ›

Citizens may carry any quantity of defensive spray that they choose. There is no capacity restriction in the State of Ohio. Defensive sprays may only legally be possessed by those who are age 18 years old or older in Ohio.

2923.111, may carry a concealed handgun without a license. Residents and non-residents under 21 may still open carry, but require a valid concealed handgun license issued by another U.S. jurisdiction to conceal carry.

The new law allows Ohioans to “stand their ground.” Not simply protect their home, not simply protect their vehicle, but defend themselves on any ground they can legally claim to occupy at the moment.

The legislation effectively locks in a law passed in 2021 that lets Ohioans carry concealed knives. The list of weapons allowed for manufacturing, sale and concealed carry include brass knuckles, cestuses, billy clubs, blackjacks, sandbags, switchblade knives, springblade knives, gravity knives, and similar weapons.

Ohioans can now secretly carry knives under a new law that took effect Monday. Prior law prohibited anyone in the state from carrying a concealed “deadly weapon” other than a handgun. House Bill 140 codifies into the law that knives, razors, or cutting instruments not used as a weapon do not count as a “deadly weapon.”

While it's entirely legal to carry a pocket knife for self-defense, using it recklessly is illegal, and can lead to serious legal problems. As such, you should avoid drawing and using the knife unless it is absolutely necessary.

In most states – including New South Wales, Victoria, Northern Territory, and South Australia – it is illegal to carry a weapon, even for self-defense. This includes knives, which states consider dangerous articles or prohibited weapons.

Automatic knives are legal to own, open carry, and concealed carry. Ohio law defines a 'deadly weapon' as: An instrument or object by which death can be caused. - It is possessed, carried, or used as a weapon.

Convicted felons may possess daggers, dirks or stillettos in his or her residence, but may not carry them in cars or in public. The other weapons cannot be owned.

Lexan Knuckles - Just as strong as brass. A very nice complement to your personal protection plan. These Lexan Knuckles are made from high quality bullet proof glass like material and are virtually unbreakable. The top selling Stealth Black Lexan are a top seller and have been flying off the shelves.

What is the new knife law in Ohio? ›

The legislation effectively locks in a law passed in 2021 that lets Ohioans carry concealed knives. The list of weapons allowed for manufacturing, sale and concealed carry include brass knuckles, cestuses, billy clubs, blackjacks, sandbags, switchblade knives, springblade knives, gravity knives, and similar weapons.

A. In the State of California, there is no maximum length for knives in general. However, the maximum legal length for a switchblade knife is 2 inches. Additionally, it is illegal to carry daggers or dirks concealed, and also illegal to carry many types of knives which are designed for concealment.

Effective June 13, 2022, Ohio Senate Bill (S.B.) No. 215, which Governor Mike DeWine has already signed into law, will permit a "qualifying adult" to legally carry, possess, or conceal a handgun without a license, background check, or training requirements.

(a) No person shall maliciously or recklessly, by hand or by means of a slingshot, bow, air gun or other similar device throw, shoot, cast or sling any stone, arrow, pellet or other similar missile. (b) Whoever violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor of the third degree.

In the United States, brass knuckles are not significantly regulated at the federal level, but various state, county and city laws prohibit their purchase and/or possession. Some state laws require purchasers to be 18 or older.

Flamethrowers are legal in every state except Maryland, but a permit is needed to get one in California and Ohio.

The Scottish dirk (also "Highland dirk", Scottish Gaelic: Biodag), as a symbolic traditional and ceremonial weapon of the Highland Cathairean (cateran or warrior), is worn by officers, pipers and drummers of Scottish Highland regiments.

It is illegal to carry any sharply pointed or bladed article in a public place (with the exception of a folding pocket knife, which has a blade that is less than 7.62cm or 3 inches). A lock knife is NOT a folding pocketknife and therefore it is illegal to carry these knives regardless of the length of the blade.

The knuckles are not always necessarily made of brass (they can be made of plastic or another metal), but they are generally still referred to as brass knuckles. Having brass knuckles, even if for self-defense, is illegal, much to the shock of most people.

A blackjack weapon or sap refers to a group of weapons that are short, concealable, and weighted (usually filled with lead powder, molded lead clay, or lead shot) to constitute an effective bludgeoning device. The terminology used to refer to these weapons can be very imprecise depending on the period.

Is a pepper spray gun considered a firearm? ›

Yes, because this product is not considered a firearm, you are able to carry it and it is not required to have it concealed.

Intentional Harm to Another

It is illegal to hurt someone intentionally. If you use your pepper spray on someone for a reason other than self-defense, there's a chance that you will end up in court for assault, battery or both. The same applies if you were acting in self-defense but you provoked the original attack.

Do not use bear pepper spray on dogs or humans. Bear spray is regulated as a pesticide by the EPA and has only been approved for use on bears. It should not be used on any other animals, including humans.

In the United States, Tasers are not considered firearms and are legal for civilian use in most states.

Last updated September 15, 2021 . Ohio prohibits any person from knowingly transporting or having in a motor vehicle a loaded firearm that is accessible to the operator or any passenger who has not left the vehicle.

Assuming you are properly licensed, yes. You can now carry your licensed firearm into any business that has been issued a Class D liquor permit. “Class D” businesses may include carry-outs, restaurants, nightclubs, clubs, hotels, shopping malls, marinas, museums and other establishments.

Open Carry Laws In Ohio

Ohio is a permissive open carry state, and as long as you have a permit, you can open carry within the state territory. The state prohibits firearms automatic or semi-automatic firearms and any other similar gun. It is a crime to possess, buy, or sell any of these firearms in the state.

The legislation effectively locks in a law passed in 2021 that lets Ohioans carry concealed knives. The list of weapons allowed for manufacturing, sale and concealed carry include brass knuckles, cestuses, billy clubs, blackjacks, sandbags, switchblade knives, springblade knives, gravity knives, and similar weapons.

A blackjack weapon or sap refers to a group of weapons that are short, concealable, and weighted (usually filled with lead powder, molded lead clay, or lead shot) to constitute an effective bludgeoning device. The terminology used to refer to these weapons can be very imprecise depending on the period.

Is it legal to carry a baton in Texas 2019? ›

Since September of 2019, clubs can now be openly carried, along with blackjacks, nightsticks, maces and tomahawks. This also includes expanding, collapsible or telescopic batons. Finally, nunchucks and tomahawks were also made legal both inside facilities, gyms and in public spaces.

Ohio's Concealed Carry Law as Applied to Knives

Ohio law only restricts the concealed carry of knives that are considered a “dangerous ordnance,” which include any knife that has a detachable blade which is propelled by a spring-operated mechanism, otherwise known as a ballistic knife.

Ohioans can now secretly carry knives under a new law that took effect Monday. Prior law prohibited anyone in the state from carrying a concealed “deadly weapon” other than a handgun. House Bill 140 codifies into the law that knives, razors, or cutting instruments not used as a weapon do not count as a “deadly weapon.”

Automatic knives are legal to own, open carry, and concealed carry. Ohio law defines a 'deadly weapon' as: An instrument or object by which death can be caused. - It is possessed, carried, or used as a weapon.

No. Disguised Blades are Illegal in California. Any knife or blade that is disguised so as to not look like a weapon is also illegal in California. This includes, cane swords, belt-buckle knives, lipstick case knives, air gauge knives, writing pen knives, etc.

Gun: The Lethal Force Question. If you respond to an attacker using a gun, it gives you only one option: using maximum, sometimes, lethal, force. While a knife is also lethal, it's a more elegant weapon that can be used in a variety of ways to defeat an attacker.

Basic Baton Strikes For Law Enforcement - YouTube

Leather slapper, sap, blackjack

The sap, slapper, or blackjack is a heavy leather pouch, eight to twelve inches long, filled with lead and sometimes a flexible steel rod. Unlike a baton, a sap's size and shape allowed it to be concealed inside an officer's pocket.

If you're wondering how it's even possible to shoot a gun underwater, gunpowder contains oxygen — a key element in the firing process — the gun still goes off exactly as it would on land.

For you youngsters, a sap is a leather club filled with a metal rod or bar, lead, sand or other material that can deliver a crippling blow in a close-quarters fight. Typically, a sap is flat and looks a bit like a beavertail. It's made with heavy leather and is surprisingly easy to carry and deploy.

Why is nunchucks illegal? ›

Nunchucks are also known as karate sticks and are specifically banned in California under the state's statute on generally prohibited weapons found within California Penal Code 16590 PC.

Yes, because this product is not considered a firearm, you are able to carry it and it is not required to have it concealed.

There are usually two types of professionals that are generally permitted to carry batons – law enforcement and security guards. Facing charges for violating California's baton laws should not be easily brushed off.