Concealed Handgun License Information for Armed Forces Members

As a member of the armed forces, you may not need to obtain a concealed handgun license to carry under certain circumstances. If you are an active duty member of the armed forces of the United States and you have a valid military identification card and you have documentation of successful firearms training that meets or exceeds that required of Ohio licensees, you do not need to obtain an Ohio license. You may also transport a loaded firearm in a vessel under the same circumstances as a concealed carry permit holder.
 
Under federal and state law, “active duty” means full-time duty in the active military service of the United States. The term includes full-time training duty, annual training duty, and attendance, while in the active military service, at a school designated as a service school by law or by the Secretary of the military department concerned. The term does not include full-time National Guard duty.
 
Several different military identification cards may be acceptable as valid. A valid military identification card may be the Uniformed Services ID Card, also known as the Common Access Card, is commonly used by the armed forces.
For more information, consult these statutes:  ORC 1547.699(H)(2), 2923.11(R), 2923.12(F)(6), 10 USC 101(d)(1)