DeWine signs legislation blocking cities from outlawing carrying knives

Gov. Mike DeWine signed legislation Tuesday that blocks cities from passing laws that block citizens from carrying knives.

Senate Bill 156 locks in a law passed in 2021 that lets Ohioans carry concealed knives, our news partners at WBNS-TV report.

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The list of weapons allowed for manufacturing, sale and concealed carry includes brass knuckles, cestuses, billy clubs, blackjacks, sandbags, switchblade knives, spring blade knives, gravity knives, and similar weapons.

The knife pre-emption joins a list of state legislation expanding the right to carry weapons in Ohio including:

• 2022: Knife pre-emption

• 2022: Authorizing school boards to allow teachers to carry guns

• 2022: Remove training, background check and licensure requirements to carry a concealed firearm

• 2021: Allowing for concealed carry of knives

• 2021: Removing the legal duty to retreat before responding to a perceived attack with deadly force, often known as “stand your ground.”