OC in State Parks??

Open Carry is carrying a firearm unconcealed in Ohio. OC does not require a concealed handgun license, but the practice requires intimate knowledge of the law since there are places and situations where OC is prohibited but carrying concealed would be permitted. OC is also likely to attract attention. This forum is for discussion of OC, not for debating the pro's and con's or coordinating any type of protest events.

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MountainDEWDjv
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OC in State Parks??

Post by MountainDEWDjv »

Hey all! Just wondering what the legalities are concerning Open Carry in a state park... such as Mohican State Forest or Malabar Farm?? Its almost good enough weather to go hiking and I don't want to go un-armed!!! (or under-armed! XD)
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MyWifeSaidYes
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Re: OC in State Parks??

Post by MyWifeSaidYes »

Legal in Ohio.

Others will be along soon to expand on that and to yell at you for not searching for that info. :P

Keep in mind that there are private attractions in or near the parks that can post as CPZ's (Criminal Protection Zones), and state buildings are posted.
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Werz
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Re: OC in State Parks??

Post by Werz »

Malabar Farm might be tricky. It's managed by the ODNR but owned by a private foundation. I have no idea what's posted there.
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Stryker74
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Re: OC in State Parks??

Post by Stryker74 »

Good question, and no - I won't yell at you like MWSY suggested! :lol:

Outside, state parks are legal for open or concealed carry. Since they are part of ODNR, then they have to follow the guidelines of ORC 9.68 - or MWSY will be their worst nightmare!


I am currently trying to determine if the lodges at the Shawnee State Park are considered to a private hotel or a state building:
Government facilities that are not used primarily as a shelter, restroom, parking facility for motor vehicles, or rest facility and are not a courthouse or a building or structure in which a courtroom is located
If they are privately owned, then they should not be a mandatory CPZ. But, I am not finding anything yet - and will not call them.

I was thinking that location would be great for an overnight stay prior to Fun'n'Gun.
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Re: OC in State Parks??

Post by Brian D. »

Stryker74 wrote:I am currently trying to determine if the lodges at the Shawnee State Park are considered to a private hotel or a state building:
Government facilities that are not used primarily as a shelter, restroom, parking facility for motor vehicles, or rest facility and are not a courthouse or a building or structure in which a courtroom is located
If they are privately owned, then they should not be a mandatory CPZ. But, I am not finding anything yet - and will not call them.

I was thinking that location would be great for an overnight stay prior to Fun'n'Gun.
Been a while since I looked into that topic, but for several years the lodges have been operated by private concessionaires. They bid on long term contracts best my memory serves. I don't believe that makes them the owners of the buildings. Yeah, it's tricky stuff sometimes.

Back when premises-consumption Class D liquor permit establishments were verboten for carry, it was equally confusing, in a different way: How far did the license extend in the lodge? From what I saw back then, some of the lodges were posted at the outside entrances anyhow. A no-brainer. Others, however, no signage except maybe on the back wall of the bar. Those would have been the ones from the Ohio Department of Liquor Control.
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Re: OC in State Parks??

Post by Brian D. »

This topic about OC in state parks always makes me chuckle because the one time an LEO (county deputy, who are usually not inclined toward such harassment) ever bothered me about open carry was in a small park where he and I happened to only people present. It's a long tale I've written about before, will spare everyone reading this thread. Suffice to say it's been a motivator for me with regards to open carry, and carry in general.
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Re: OC in State Parks??

Post by MountainDEWDjv »

Thank you all for your replies, opinions and info... and thanks a bunch MWSY, too... I should have known better and googled thoroughly before posting a question knowing you will be here to give me a hard time for it..... :wink: :lol:
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Re: OC in State Parks??

Post by MyWifeSaidYes »

The search feature on this board should help you find the answers. I know it has been discussed before, but I couldn't tell you when.
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Re: OC in State Parks??

Post by MountainDEWDjv »

MyWifeSaidYes wrote:The search feature on this board should help you find the answers. I know it has been discussed before, but I couldn't tell you when.


And I just NOW see the search bar.... -_- Thanks, though! lol
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Re: OC in State Parks??

Post by glocksmith »

Brian D. wrote:This topic about OC in state parks always makes me chuckle because the one time an LEO (county deputy, who are usually not inclined toward such harassment) ever bothered me about open carry was in a small park where he and I happened to only people present. It's a long tale I've written about before, will spare everyone reading this thread. Suffice to say it's been a motivator for me with regards to open carry, and carry in general.
You wouldn't happen to know where I could find the link to that story. Since were both in the same neck of the woods, I'd be interested in hearing it.
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Re: OC in State Parks??

Post by Brian D. »

glocksmith wrote:
Brian D. wrote:This topic about OC in state parks always makes me chuckle because the one time an LEO (county deputy, who are usually not inclined toward such harassment) ever bothered me about open carry was in a small park where he and I happened to only people present. It's a long tale I've written about before, will spare everyone reading this thread. Suffice to say it's been a motivator for me with regards to open carry, and carry in general.
You wouldn't happen to know where I could find the link to that story. Since were both in the same neck of the woods, I'd be interested in hearing it.
PM on the way, soon as I can write it up.
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Re: OC in State Parks??

Post by fyrfytr310 »

Brian D. wrote:
glocksmith wrote:
Brian D. wrote:This topic about OC in state parks always makes me chuckle because the one time an LEO (county deputy, who are usually not inclined toward such harassment) ever bothered me about open carry was in a small park where he and I happened to only people present. It's a long tale I've written about before, will spare everyone reading this thread. Suffice to say it's been a motivator for me with regards to open carry, and carry in general.
You wouldn't happen to know where I could find the link to that story. Since were both in the same neck of the woods, I'd be interested in hearing it.
PM on the way, soon as I can write it up.

I'll take a copy of that write-up too if that's ok. :D
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Re: OC in State Parks??

Post by Brian D. »

fyrfytr310 wrote:I'll take a copy of that write-up too if that's ok. :D
Sent you a PM. At least I'm getting better at condensing the tale, but it does take a few paragraphs to explain what actually happened in the course of about two minutes. Maybe I should produce a video reenactment...
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