Ohio, New Mexico sign concealed-carry reciprocity pact

COLUMBUS —Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine and New Mexico Department of Public Safety Cabinet Secretary Gorden E. Eden, Jr. signed an agreement that permits reciprocity between their states for citizens who have valid concealed-carry permits.

"I am pleased that this agreement between Ohio and New Mexico will allow Ohioans who have concealed carry permits the same rights to carry a concealed handgun in the State of New Mexico, as well as New Mexicans who have concealed carry permits to do the same in Ohio," said Attorney General DeWine.

Ohio law permits the attorney general to enter into written agreements with other states whose laws are "substantially comparable" to Ohio's eligibility requirements for a license to carry a concealed handgun. In New Mexico, this authority falls under the New Mexico Department of Public Safety.

New Mexico's and Ohio's concealed carry laws are very similar to one another. Both states require a background check for long-term residents of their state or an FBI check for short-term residents of their states, and both require training in order to be eligible for a concealed-carry permit.