Buying a Gun in Ohio
The age to buy a gun in Ohio, background checks for dealer and private sales, any waiting period, and rules on ghost guns.
Short answer: 'No person under eighteen years of age shall purchase or attempt to purchase a firearm', and 'No person under twenty-one years of age shall purchase or attempt to purchase a handgun' (exceptions for trained law enforcement officers and active, reserve or honorably discharged military… R.C. 2923.211(A)-(B), 2923.21(A)-(C)
| Age to buy a gun | 'No person under eighteen years of age shall purchase or attempt to purchase a firearm', and 'No person under twenty-one years of age shall purchase or attempt to purchase a handgun' (exceptions for trained law enforcement officers and active, reserve or honorably discharged military members aged 18-20). Sellers may not 'Sell any firearm to a person who is under eighteen years of age' or 'sell any handgun to a person who is under twenty-one years of age', and may not furnish a firearm to anyone under 18 or a handgun to anyone under 21 'except for lawful hunting, sporting, or educational purposes' under adult supervision (a felony of the fifth degree). These rules apply to all sellers, including private sellers. |
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| Background checks and private sales | Ohio has no state law that requires a background check, permit or license for private (non-dealer) sales. State law makes it an offense to 'Recklessly sell, lend, give, or furnish any firearm to any person prohibited' from acquiring firearms under R.C. 2923.13 or 2923.15, and to give materially false information to 'a federally licensed firearms dealer or private seller'. Reviewed R.C. Chapter 2923 (Weapons Control, all sections) on 2026-10-27; no private-sale background check provision found. |
| Waiting period | Ohio has no state law that sets a waiting period for buying any firearm. Reviewed R.C. Chapter 2923 (Weapons Control, all sections) on 2026-10-27; no provision found. Source: R.C. ch. 2923 (reviewed) |
| Ghost guns and homemade firearms | Ohio has no state law that requires serial numbers on homemade firearms or regulates unfinished frames, receivers or kits. It is a crime to change, alter, remove or obliterate a manufacturer's serial number or to possess a firearm knowing it has been defaced, but that law 'does not apply to any firearm on which no manufacturer's serial number was inscribed at the time of its manufacture.' Reviewed R.C. Chapter 2923 (Weapons Control, all sections) on 2026-10-27; no provision on unserialized or homemade firearms found. |
More Ohio gun laws
- Concealed Carry in Ohio
- Open Carry in Ohio
- Red Flag Law and Weapon Limits in Ohio
- All Ohio gun laws rules
FAQ
How old do you have to be to buy a gun in Ohio?
'No person under eighteen years of age shall purchase or attempt to purchase a firearm', and 'No person under twenty-one years of age shall purchase or attempt to purchase a handgun' (exceptions for trained law enforcement officers and active, reserve or honorably discharged military members aged 18-20). Sellers may not 'Sell any firearm to a person who is under eighteen years of age' or 'sell any handgun to a person who is under twenty-one years of age', and may not furnish a firearm to anyone under 18 or a handgun to anyone under 21 'except for lawful hunting, sporting, or educational purposes' under adult supervision (a felony of the fifth degree).
Do private gun sales need a background check in Ohio?
Ohio has no state law that requires a background check, permit or license for private (non-dealer) sales. State law makes it an offense to 'Recklessly sell, lend, give, or furnish any firearm to any person prohibited' from acquiring firearms under R.C. 2923.13 or 2923.15, and to give materially false information to 'a federally licensed firearms dealer or private seller'.
Is there a waiting period to buy a gun in Ohio?
Ohio has no state law that sets a waiting period for buying any firearm.
Are ghost guns legal in Ohio?
Ohio has no state law that requires serial numbers on homemade firearms or regulates unfinished frames, receivers or kits. It is a crime to change, alter, remove or obliterate a manufacturer's serial number or to possess a firearm knowing it has been defaced, but that law 'does not apply to any firearm on which no manufacturer's serial number was inscribed at the time of its manufacture.'
General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.