Ohio's 21-Age Carry Law Leaves Justified Shooter Facing Felony Charge

A 20-year-old Cincinnati woman who shot and killed a man beating her at a nightclub has been cleared of homicide but still faces a felony charge, because Ohio says you have to be 21 to carry a concealed gun. Bearing Arms lays out the case and the legal gap that put her here.

Key points

• The attack: Her attorney, Clyde Bennett, says the man, a 20-year-old barback at Memories Lounge, punched her 15 to 16 times and reached toward his waistband before she drew her handgun and fired once, killing him.
• Cleared on the shooting: A Cincinnati police detective testified in court that she was a victim who acted in self-defense, and Bennett says a gun was recovered next to the man.
• Still charged: She faces a felony for carrying a concealed firearm in a liquor-serving establishment, since Ohio law sets the carry age at 21 regardless of self-defense circumstances.
• The penalty: She could face up to 18 months in prison and loss of her gun rights if convicted, despite prosecutors agreeing her use of force was justified.
• Possible fix: Ohio's SB 392 would lower the carry age to 18, but it won't help her and faces a narrow window to pass before incoming Governor Amy Acton takes office.

Quick take

Bearing Arms frames this as proof that Ohio's age-21 carry line punishes young adults for defending themselves, since she had no legal way to carry that night no matter how real the threat against her was.

Read the full story: bearingarms.com