124 [licenses] issued in county to carry concealed weapons

May 18, 2004
Marietta Times

More than 200 area residents have applied for permits to carry concealed weapons since a new law allowing Ohioans to carry them went into effect last month.

Of those who have applied, 124 Washington County residents have been issued permits and are allowed to carry hidden handguns.

Another 100 area residents are still going through the application process, according to the Washington County Sheriff's Office, which is charged with issuing the permits.

The sheriff's office anticipates 600 to 1,000 county residents will apply for permits within the next year.

"We've had a lot of interest," said Deputy Bob Sears. "It looks like we're going to keep fairly busy this first year."

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Interest statewide has been high as well. About 37 of the state's 88 counties have limited appointments for people to get a permit because of the demand, according to Ohioans for Concealed Carry.

With the start of the concealed carry legislation last month, Ohio joined 45 other states that allow citizens to carry hidden handguns.

Marietta resident Denver McIntire, 55, was going through the application process Monday at the local sheriff's office.

"I probably won't carry all the time," McIntire said. "But there's a lot of time when someone might need to - or should."

Deputies said it can take up to 45 days before a permit can be issued because deputies are required to perform background checks on each applicant.

Even with a permit, it is illegal to carry weapons at schools, courthouses and places that distribute liquor. Also, any private business is allowed to post signs prohibiting concealed carry permit holders from entering with a gun.

"I respect their right to do that," McIntire said. "If they don't want weapons, I can go along with that, but I would hope they would reconsider."

Visiting family in the area, Richard Sauers, 68, of Cleveland, said he is surprised he hasn't seen more signs banning weapons.

"I expected to see a lot more of these signs than I have," Sauers said. "Maybe it is just because this is so new."

Sauers said he has only seen the signs at a restaurant in Cleveland and at a post office.

"Even down here I haven't seen that many," Sauers said.

Only a few local businesses have posted signs. Kroger's grocery store, 40 Acme St., was one of those to post after the April 8 law went into effect. Kroger Manager Stan Nuff said the decision was not left to him.

"This was a corporate decision," Nuff said. "It covers everyone in the Mid-Atlantic region."

The Web site for Ohioans for Concealed Carry, www.ofcc.net, lists other businesses across Ohio that do not allow customers to visit while carrying.