County follows state's increase in concealed handgun licenses

Demand locally is growing due to what some call the "Obama Effect"

By DAVID J. COEHRS

Expositor Features Editor

Statistics released by Ohio Attorney General Richard Cordray on state concealed handgun licenses suggest that Fulton County is following a state trend.

Statewide statistics for the second quarter in 2009 mark the ninth consecutive quarter of growth for concealed handgun licenses (CHLs), as compared to the same quarters from the prior year. They also signify the third quarter in a row where demand more than doubled from the same period a year ago. The 17,921 regular licenses issued represent a 106 percent increase.

There were an additional 4,825 Ohio CHL licenses renewed during the quarter, which is approximately 68 percent of the licenses expiring during the period. To date almost 70 percent of all expiring CHLs have been renewed. There were 22 Temporary Emergency Licenses (TELs) issued, bringing the total number of licenses issued by Ohio Sheriffs to 22,768 for the period April through June of 2009.

That is more licenses than were issued for the entire year in 2005 or 2006. Even though 2008 saw a dramatic increase in demand, this year's numbers have exceeded that entire year in just six months. At the end of June there were over 158,000 Ohio citizens licensed to carry handguns.

With the surge in total outstanding licenses, the percentage of suspensions and revocations has declined slightly. Less than one half of one percent have ever been revoked.

The breakdown in Fulton County reveals 92 CHLs issued in the second quarter of 2009, and 12 renewed; in the first quarter, 79 CHLs were issued and 17 renewed.

Those new CHL issues already well surpass 136 approved in the county in 2008, when another 174 were renewed, two were denied and two suspended.

Sheriff Darrell Merillat, whose office handles CHL applications, said he has not seen an increase locally.

"I haven't noticed any drastic changes. But I know the people ... assigned to that are fairly busy," he said. County residents have shown some interest in carrying concealed weapons, he added.

According to Chad Baus, vice chairman of the Buckeye Firearms Association, two factors have contributed to the increase in CHLs: an improved law and what he calls "The Obama Effect."

When the original law passed, there were several "poison pills" inserted by former Governor Bob Taft, Baus said. They included stipulations to carry a gun unconcealed in a car and allowing newspapers to publish lists of licensed holders. He said the increase in license applications was apparent after those stipulations were modified in 2007.

But what further spurred the demand was what Baus terms President Barack Obama's "abysmal" history on gun ownership and its related lifestyle. As an Illinois state senator, Obama voted for a 500 percent tax increase on ammunition and made his dislike of concealed carry weapons clear.

In fact, he said, the dramatic rise in CHLs began around the time the president was elected in 2008.

"There's enough on the record to make people afraid ... that gun bans could be coming," Baus said. "My own experience as an instructor is that the numbers have certainly gone up."

The Archbold resident teaches concealed carry classes at the Fulton County Sportsmen Club, and said clients are concerned about their Second Amendment rights.

"Most have said, 'I need to take the opportunity before I lose the opportunity,'" Baus said.

Demand for concealed carry classes at Cleland's Outdoor World in Swanton has increased by one-third. Co-owner Theresa Cleland, who teaches a prerequisite basic pistol class, isn't surprised.

"The political climate tends to be not pro-gun at this time, and people are concerned about their second amendment rights," she said. "If you look at the history of the politicians right now, they are not pro-gun.

Her customers are also worried about safety issues caused by police layoffs in the current economy, she said.

A quick survey of local police chiefs indicates county residents are respectful of the concealed carry weapons law.

Wauseon Police Chief Keith Torbet said it's rare for his force to encounter a problem.

"My biggest concern ... is making sure they're keeping up with the training and proper handling of the firearms," he said.

Ron Moore, Swanton's interim chief, said police there haven't experienced trouble, either.

"The incident hasn't come to us yet," he said. "Will it happen? Eventually, yes. But not at this time."

On occasion, Delta police have come across CHL carriers, "but we've had no problems with them," Chief Garry Chamberlin said.

The Ohio CCW law was adopted over five years ago.