Do mandatory masks invalidate your concealed carry permit? There are a lot of posts going around the Internet that claiming that state and local orders mandating masks in public spaces invalidate conceal carry permits.
With 60% of Ohio’s population under a red health alert that requires masks and a growing list of stores insisting you wear one, some gun owners started to panic.
The Rumor
Here’s an example of the text from a popular one: “Know what else wearing a mask does??? Anyone?? REMOVES YOUR CONCEAL CARRY ability. That’s right!! It’s in the rules. CCW licensees are NOT allowed to wear face coverings while carrying. Now let that sink in.” Is it true?
One bit of advice I can give you is that anything with “Now, let that sink in” attached to it is probably not 100% reliable. But you don’t have to depend on me for the answer to this one. Law enforcement officials from all over the country immediately spoke out to correct this.
The Truth
Among them, Jackson County Sheriff Tedd Frazier. Frazier made it clear that wearing a mask has zero effect on the status of your CCW permit. Here’s what he said: “I have been contacted by a number of Jackson County residents asking if it is legal for someone with a concealed carry permit to carry a concealed firearm while wearing a mask to curb the spread of the COVID-19 virus. Apparently, misinformation is being spread through social media on this topic.
In Ohio, concealed carry laws do not prohibit a citizen from carrying a concealed firearm while wearing a mask. As long as that person is also carrying their concealed carry license and abiding by all Ohio concealed carry laws.”
Frazier also reminded citizens that if they’d lost or misplaced their permit card, they can get a replacement from the county that issued it. Replacements cost $15 and you must bring an ID.