HB 203 Summary

• Establishes a constitutional right to keep and bear arms in Ohio and prohibits local ordinances from restricting firearm ownership, possession, purchase, or transfer without state or federal authorization; allows civil forfeiture of $100 per day for ordinances that remain in effect after legal challenge.

• Modifies concealed handgun licensing to allow out-of-state residents employed in Ohio to apply for licenses, reduces training requirements from 12 to 4 hours, expands reciprocity agreements with other states, and permits temporary emergency licenses based on evidence of imminent danger.

• Authorizes Attorney General investigators conducting Medicaid fraud investigations to carry firearms with the same exemptions from weapons restrictions as sheriffs and peace officers.

• Expands self-defense "stand your ground" protections beyond a person's residence to any place where the person lawfully has a right to be, and clarifies that exercising constitutional rights cannot constitute disorderly conduct, inducing panic, or reasonable suspicion of criminal activity.

• Modifies firearm disqualification criteria by replacing references to drug offenses with more specific language and adds new eligibility requirements including citizenship status checks and dishonorable discharge prohibitions for concealed handgun licensees.