You may not carry or use a firearm while under the influence of alcohol or any drug of abuse. In a vehicle, you also may not have a loaded handgun...
Reviewed by Will Luker, Founder of CCW Hub. USCCA Training Counselor, USCCA Certified Instructor, NRA Certified Instructor, Law Enforcement.
You may not carry or use a firearm while under the influence of alcohol or any drug of abuse. In a vehicle, you also may not have a loaded handgun while impaired or with a prohibited blood, breath, or urine concentration, even as a passenger. Using weapons while intoxicated is a misdemeanor of the first degree. An arrest for it suspends a concealed handgun license.
These rules apply to every person. They apply whether you carry under a concealed handgun license or by permitless carry. They also reach passengers, not only drivers.
R.C. 2923.15(A) says no person under the influence of alcohol or any drug of abuse may carry or use any firearm or dangerous ordnance. The offense covers carrying or using a firearm, not mere possession.
R.C. 2923.16(D) bars knowingly transporting or having a loaded handgun in a motor vehicle in two situations. Either one is enough:
The vehicle rule applies whether you are the operator or a passenger.
We found no Ohio statute that lets a person under the influence transport a firearm unloaded or cased, the vehicle offense in Ohio Revised Code 2923.16(D) reaching a loaded handgun, having read that statute, the one that would carry such a rule, on September 23, 2026. The separate rule in Ohio Revised Code 2923.15(A) still bars carrying or using any firearm while under the influence of alcohol or any drug of abuse.
R.C. 2923.15(B) makes using weapons while intoxicated a misdemeanor of the first degree. Under R.C. 2923.16(I), the vehicle offense is a felony of the fourth degree if the loaded handgun is concealed on your person.
A licensee arrested for or charged with using weapons while intoxicated has the concealed handgun license suspended by the issuing sheriff under R.C. 2923.128(A)(1). The suspension runs from the date of the arrest or charge until the charge is dismissed or you are found not guilty, and then the sheriff returns the license. On conviction, the revocation provisions in R.C. 2923.128(B) govern.
| Situation | Result | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Carrying or using a firearm while under the influence | Misdemeanor of the first degree | R.C. 2923.15(B) |
| Loaded handgun in a vehicle while impaired, concealed on your person | Felony of the fourth degree | R.C. 2923.16(I) |
| Licensee arrested for or charged with using weapons while intoxicated | License suspended until dismissal or a not guilty finding | R.C. 2923.128(A)(1) |
None of the facts we verified for this rule tie it to a concealed handgun license or to completed training.
The carry rule turns on whether you are under the influence of alcohol or any drug of abuse. In a vehicle, a prohibited concentration of alcohol also triggers the loaded-handgun offense.
Yes. The loaded-handgun rule applies whether you are the operator or a passenger.
The offense covers carrying or using a firearm, not mere possession.
We found no Ohio statute that allows it, the vehicle offense in Ohio Revised Code 2923.16(D) reaching a loaded handgun. Ohio Revised Code 2923.15(A) still bars carrying or using any firearm while under the influence of alcohol or any drug of abuse.
The issuing sheriff suspends it from the date of the arrest or charge until the charge is dismissed or you are found not guilty.
This page covers one part of our Ohio concealed carry guide.
Read the complete Ohio guideBrowse local instructors offering state-approved training in your area. Book online, complete your training, and get one step closer to your concealed carry permit.