Headline: Gun shop sees increased traffic from customers seeking safety

The Elyria Chronicle-Telegram reported recently that a spate of violence in the area, combined with law-enforcement cutbacks and culminating in the shooting of a sheriff's deputy, is contributing to a boost in sales of firearms and a rise in concealed handgun license applications.

From the article:

The shooting of a sheriff's deputy in LaGrange Township on Monday night was the last straw for Dee and Dennis Telzerow of Pittsfield Township, who purchased a handgun Tuesday at Bullseye Firearms.

All in all, about 20 brand-new customers visited the gun shop on Tuesday compared with one or two unfamiliar customers on a normal day, said store owners Rick and Stephanie Guyeska.

For the Telzerows, the sights and sounds of cruisers rushing to the scene of the shooting Monday was quite frightening, they said.

"Not too long ago there were a couple break-ins not far from us, and with the cutbacks in law enforcement, I just think it's time to bear down and protect what you've got," Dennis Telzerow said.

Telzrow told the newspaper he owns shotguns and rifles for sport shooting and hunting, but this is the couple's first handgun.

Again from the article:

Like her husband, Dee Telzerow said she plans on knowing how to use the handgun if an intruder enters and tries to hurt her or her family.

"If it's my life or theirs, at least I'd have a chance," she said. "I'll feel safer."

So far this year, about 940 people have obtained new concealed-carry permits from the Lorain County Sheriff's Office, according to Sgt. Diana Nicholl.

Last year, 852 people obtained new licenses in Lorain County, according to the website of the Ohio Attorney General's office.

Nicholl told The Chronicle-Telegram she does not recall any major incidents involving concealed-carry license owners here since they became available in 2004.

"Those are the responsible people getting concealed-carry licenses," she said.