A legal battle over a concealed-handgun license has unfolded, capturing attention due to its implications on firearm rights and administrative processes. Dale M. Lewis filed a complaint against the Morgan County Sheriff in the Court of Appeals for Morgan County, Ohio, on December 29, 2025. The case revolves around Lewis’s denied application for a concealed-handgun license, which he argues was unjustly refused.
The story begins in November 2022 when Lewis successfully petitioned the trial court to relieve him from any firearm disability related to two drug-related convictions. However, his attempt to secure a concealed-handgun license in May 2024 was thwarted by the sheriff’s office due to an additional felony conviction for unemployment-compensation fraud dating back to 1980 in Florida. This conviction remains a barrier under R.C. 2923.125(D)(1)(e), which prohibits individuals with felony convictions from obtaining such licenses.
Lewis challenged this decision through an administrative appeal to the common-pleas court and sought default judgment when the sheriff did not appear at a scheduled hearing in December 2024. Despite this absence, the sheriff was represented by an attorney from the Morgan County Prosecuting Attorney’s office. The trial court ultimately upheld the sheriff’s decision, citing that Lewis remained under firearm disability due to his Florida conviction.
Lewis contends that the denial of his application was contrary to law and argues that the sheriff should have established an alternative appeals process. He also questions the validity of his Florida conviction and asserts that he suffered prejudice due to procedural shortcomings during his appeal process. However, both R.C. 2923.125(D)(2)(b) and R.C. 119.12 provide structured pathways for appealing such denials, which Lewis pursued without success.
In addition to seeking a reversal of the denial, Lewis requested declaratory and injunctive relief compelling the sheriff to issue his license and establish a written appeals process. He also sought attorney’s fees as part of his complaint. Nevertheless, these requests were denied by both the trial court and upon appeal as they found no error or prejudice affecting Lewis’s case outcome.
The Court of Appeals’ decision affirmed that Lewis’s felony conviction legally precludes him from receiving a concealed-handgun license under current statutes unless he seeks further relief from weapon disabilities specific to that conviction through proper legal channels.
Representing Dale M. Lewis is attorney Brian W. Benbow from Zanesville, Ohio, while Judges William B. Hoffman, Kevin W. Popham, and David M. Gormley presided over this appellate case with Case ID: 25AP0001.
Source: 2025Ohio5879_Lewis_v_Morgan_County_Sheriff_James_R_Fisher_Opinion_Ohio_Court_of_Appeals.pdf