Sheriff's offices throughout Ohio will begin accepting applications today from Ohioans wishing to carry a concealed weapon.
Gov. Bob Taft signed a bill on Jan. 8 giving any Ohio resident ages 21 or older the ability to purchase a concealed-carry permit from a county sheriff, provided the applicant meets certain requirements.
Athens County Sheriff Vern Castle said he anticipates many applicants today.
I'm very worried for (today)
he said. I think we're probably going to have a line in here.
Those residents who have fulfilled the requirements for a conceal-carry permit, including understanding the Ohio Concealed Carry Law Pamphlet and having certified firearms training, can submit applications with their local sheriff's office. Applicants will be notified as soon as background checks by the Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation are complete.
(The bureau) told me the process will take 45 days but it depends on how overloaded they are on background checks Castle said.
As soon as background checks are returned, Castle said he could issue licenses but expects early delays.
Deputies with the Washington County Sheriff's Office are also getting prepared.
I've gotten hundreds of calls from people taking the course or who have taken their required hours and want to know when they can get their applications
said Deputy Robert Sears.
Sears said he has no major concerns about the law or those who will be getting licenses.
Generally
your law-abiding citizen is going to apply to legally carry weapons
he said, stating that criminals or people who might commit a crime probably will not go through the required training.
You're always hoping people absorb the education process and have a very strong will for when you can and when you can't use deadly force
he said. Deadly force is defined as pointing a gun at someone with the intent to harm.
Castle said the training requirements for the license are good, but he hopes the people choosing to carry do more than the required two hours of range time.
Every police officer does more than that in one year
he said. And hopefully people understand that when you sign (the informational pamphlets)
you better be telling the truth. Lying (on the application) is a fourth degree felony.
Ohio University junior Jesse Roush, president of the OU Second Amendment Club, said club members are happy with the law, and seven or eight members are old enough to apply.
I know all of us are going to get it
probably within a month
he said.
Roush said he just wanted the option of carrying a weapon.
(Using it) probably won't happen very often
