Is it legal to carry a concealed handgun with a threaded barrel in Ohio?

Here's an interesting question we received recently:

Can you legally carry a concealed handgun with a threaded barrel?

Yes, you can.

I'm guessing the confusion about threaded barrels comes from internet discussions where people post inaccurate or incomplete information and mistake the laws of one state with another.

In the case of threaded barrels, there are, in fact, several states that define pistols with threaded barrels as illegal "assault weapons," such as California, Illinois, Connecticut, New York, and Washington.

However, this is not the case in Ohio. The Buckeye State has no laws regarding threaded barrels because we do not have an "assault weapons" ban.

Therefore, threaded barrels, including pistols with threaded barrels, are legal even on concealed handguns.

That raises a related question:

Can you legally carry a handgun with a muzzle brake or compensator?

The answer is yes.

Muzzle brakes and compensators are similar, both redirecting gasses expelled from a fired round to reduce the movement of a firearm. The difference is that a muzzle brake directs the gasses to the rear to reduce recoil, whereas a compensator directs gasses upward to reduce "flip."

Whether a built-in or a separate add-on device, muzzle brakes and compensators are both legal in Ohio and legal for concealed carry.

Dean Rieck is Executive Director of Buckeye Firearms Association, a former competitive shooter, NRA Patron Member, former #1 NRA Recruiter, and host of the Keep and Bear Radio podcast.