We do not allow firearms in our establishment.

Basically, anyone with a Concealed Carry Permit issued by the state of Ohio (or certain other states) can enter a bar and/or restaurant while carrying a concealed firearm, provided they are not under the influence of alcohol/drugs and they do not consume any alcohol while on the premises. This is the complete opposite of the laws we have been operating under up to this point, which prohibited firearms in any liquor establishment.

The following information is excerpted from http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2739493/posts:

What is the deal with restaurant carry?
Ohio law currently prohibits valid licensees from carrying into businesses that have certain liquor licenses. (Bars, restaurants, golf courses, arenas, stadiums, reception halls, hotels...in general, any place where, if they are open during serving hours, you could buy a drink and consume it then and there.) If ORC2923.121 is signed by Governor Kasich and goes into effect, licensees would not violate the law by entering these facilities, so long as the person is not already under the influence of drugs or alcohol, and does not consume alcohol while at the facility.

Can the owners of these facilities still prohibit me from entering?
Yes, the same as any private property owner, the owners of these facilities may post a sign prohibiting the possession of firearms on premises. There is no "magic sign" in Ohio – any sign that would place a reasonable person on notice that they were not to be in the facility is sufficient. (Please note that the "Title 43" liquor control signs, typically on white cardboard with black print, that begin "Warning, if you are carrying a firearm..." are not signs that ban you from carrying into a facility.)

Aren't the facility owners liable for gun owners on their property?
No, current law says that the owners of property ARE NOT liable for the actions of gun owners on their property, and are not liable for allowing or prohibiting firearms on their property. See page 2 [R.C. 2923.126(C)(2)(a).] The law stays the same ... – no liability.

I've heard that insurance companies are requiring facilities to post signs.
We heard the same story back when HB12 first passed in 2004, and were never once able to document an insurer requiring this...

What happens if a licensee consumes while at the facility?
If a licensee consumes, even a sip, then they have failed to meet the exception created by ORC2923.121, and are guilty of a very serious felony...

The following information is excerpted from the Ohio Revised Code @ http://codes.ohio.gov/orc/2923.121:

2923.121 [Effective 9/30/2011] Possession of firearm in beer liquor permit premises – prohibition, exceptions

(A) No person shall possess a firearm in any room in which any person is consuming beer or intoxicating liquor in a premises for which a D permit has been issued under Chapter 4303 of the Revised Code or in an open air arena for which a permit of that nature has been issued.
(B)(1) This section does not apply to any of the following:
(a)...
(e) Any person who is carrying a valid license or temporary emergency license to carry a concealed handgun issued to the person under section 2923.125 or 2923.1213 of the Revised Code or a license to carry a concealed handgun that was issued to the person by another state with which the attorney general has entered into a reciprocity agreement under section 109.69 of the Revised Code , as long as the person is not consuming beer or intoxicating liquor or under the influence of alcohol or a drug of abuse.

The following information is excerpted from the Ohio Revised Code @ http://codes.ohio.gov/orc/2923.126:

2923.126 Duties of licensed individual
(A)...
(C)...(2)
(a) A private employer shall be immune from liability in a civil action for any injury, death, or loss to person or property that allegedly was caused by or related to a licensee bringing a handgun onto the premises or property of the private employer, including motor vehicles owned by the private employer, unless the private employer acted with malicious purpose. A private employer is immune from liability in a civil action for any injury, death, or loss to person or property that allegedly was caused by or related to the private employer's decision to permit a licensee to bring, or prohibit a licensee from bringing, a handgun onto the premises or property of the private employer...*

*This law essentially clears us of any liability whether we prohibit firearms or not.

Some points/thoughts/potential questions we had...

If we allow concealed firearms, would we have to enforce the 'not consuming beer/liquor' stipulation?

No. Firstly, the law does not require the person to notify us that they are carrying a concealed firearm and if the weapon is concealed, we wouldn't realize they were carrying it; secondly we are not the police, however, we would be prudent to refuse to serve anyone we actually know is carrying a concealed weapon (your friend or acquaintance, or someone who advised you that they were carrying a concealed weapon). If you know someone is carrying a firearm and they are drinking or drunk, they are placing everyone in danger and committing a felony - you should stop serving them and ask them to leave or call the police.

A worker-owner's two-cents worth:
"I used to own/collect firearms and my younger self would have obtained a concealed carry permit in a heartbeat, but maturity, reflection on a friend's accidental death from my childhood, a previous job as a paramedic and the 2002 documentary Bowling for Columbine made me realize that guns enable people to kill people, even when they don't mean or want to. People can take all the firearm safety and shooting classes they want, you still don't know how they will react when someone's shooting back or if they will be over-powered and have their gun taken by the 'bad' guys/gals. My sole concern is for the safety of myself, my co-workers and our patrons."