No gun sign OH

[Nathan]

I always try to keep on top of changes in the law, reinterpretations, etc.

As I understand the no gun door signs in OH, if you carry in a posted place, you can be asked to leave. If you do not leave, you can be arrested for trespassing…4th degree misdemeanor.

If you knew you saw the sign an walked in, you can be in violation without being asked.

Is this how you see it or do I need further reeducation?

[Aguila Blanca]

This is a very specific legal question, and would be best answered by an attorney practicing in Ohio.

[Edit to add] The following is from material found on www.handgunlaw.us:

(C)(3)(a) Except as provided in division (C)(3)(b) of this section and section 2923.1214 of the Revised Code, the owner or person in control of private land or premises, and a private person or entity leasing land or premises owned by the state, the United States, or a political subdivision of the state or the United States, may post a sign in a conspicuous location on that land or on those premises prohibiting persons from carrying firearms or concealed firearms on or onto that land or those premises. Except as otherwise provided in this division, a person who knowingly violates a posted prohibition of that nature is guilty of criminal trespass in violation of division (A)(4) of section 2911.21 of the Revised Code and is guilty of a misdemeanor of the fourth degree. If a person knowingly violates a posted prohibition of that nature and the posted land or premises primarily was a parking lot or other parking facility, the person is not guilty of criminal trespass under section 2911.21 of the Revised Code or under any other criminal law of this state or criminal law, ordinance, or resolution of a political subdivision of this state, and instead is subject only to a civil cause of action for trespass based on the violation.

It would appear that you are correct -- if you ignore the sign, you have already been warned, so you are committing criminal trespass.

[eastbank]

when i see any of those signs in stores, i just don,t shop there and avoid them.

[44 AMP]

when i see any of those signs in stores, i just don,t shop there and avoid them.

Which is, of course the right thing to do. It may not help the cause much, or any, but you should also let the store know WHY they lost your business. Call, text, email, even write an actual letter (which generally get more attention these days, because of the rarity and effort) and tell them exactly WHY you won't shop there.

Boycotts only work (when they do) when the business knows they are being boycotted. They may not care, but one can't do anything about that.

[Ricklin]

I care not about the signs posted at the entrance to a business, the only time I might read them? If the darn door does not open I will look to see what their hours are.
While there is legislation with regard to the posting of the signs, I'm not aware of any legislation that requires that I read the posted signs. Thus the red circle with a slash signs for the functionally illiterate. Again, I'm not aware of any laws that require that I see the posted signs. Schools, the post office, Govt. buildings that prohibit carry I of course comply. Retail establishments can politely ask me to leave. If we are properly carrying concealed, that is not going to happen.

[Jack Ryan]

If you can't see a sign on the front door then you aren't really much of a 24/7, 360 operator are ya. Probably shouldn't be handling fire arms.

[Aguila Blanca]

Originally Posted by Ricklin

I care not about the signs posted at the entrance to a business, the only time I might read them? If the darn door does not open I will look to see what their hours are.
While there is legislation with regard to the posting of the signs, I'm not aware of any legislation that requires that I read the posted signs. Thus the red circle with a slash signs for the functionally illiterate. Again, I'm not aware of any laws that require that I see the posted signs. Schools, the post office, Govt. buildings that prohibit carry I of course comply. Retail establishments can politely ask me to leave.

Once again -- the United States is made up of fifty states, plus the District of Columbia. Each state has its own laws. If you're going to carry a firearm, it would be wise to learn how the laws in your state are structured.

The OP asked about Ohio. I used Handgunlaw. us to look up what the law in Ohio says about whether "No Guns" signs have the force of law. In some states, they don't. In Ohio, they do. Where signs DON'T have the force of law, you can ignore the signs and you won't be breaking the law unless you are specifically asked by the owner or an authorized agent of the owner to leave. If you are asked to leave and you don't, you will be guilty of criminal trespass.

In Ohio, the law says that the signs do have the force of law. That means they don't have to specifically ask you to leave -- by ignoring the sign you are automatically guilty of criminal trespass. Yes, I understand that the law says "a person who knowingly violates a posted prohibition of that nature is guilty of criminal trespass..." You're going to argue that you didn't read the sign, so you didn't know. The owners and the cops are going to argue that the sign was posted right at the entrance where everyone can see it, so by choosing to not read it you knowingly violated the law.

Maybe you want to roll the dice that way. I don't.

But ... you're in luck. According to handgunlaw.us, in Washington state no guns signs do not have force of law.

“No Firearm” signs in Washington have no force of law unless they are posted on property that is specifically mentioned in State Law as being off limits to those with a Permit/License to Carry. If you are in a place not specifically mentioned in the law that is posted and they ask you to leave, you must leave. If you refuse to leave then you are breaking the law and can be charged. Even if the property is not posted and you are asked to leave you must leave. Always be aware of the possibility that responding Police Officers who may have been called without your knowledge and may not know the laws on trespass etc. could arrest you even if you are within the law.

[Ricklin]

Don't block the door while you are reading the signs. We will both be happy.