Advocates of the conceal/carry gun law say system is moving too slowly

This story has been picked up by the Associated Press and is being printed in newspapers across the state.

Permit process takes time

May 08, 2004
Columbus Dispatch

More than 450 conceal/carry licenses have been issued in central Ohio since a new state law took effect one month ago today, but proponents say sheriffs still must do more to ease the application process.

In Franklin County, where 246 permits have been issued, some applicants must wait about a month for an appointment to submit their paperwork, but they then can expect their licenses within a week.

In Delaware County, applicants can turn in their forms immediately but can expect to wait about a month to receive their permits. The first two permits in the county were issued Tuesday.

And in Pickaway County, where no conceal/carry licenses have been issued yet, officials say they likely will need every day allowed. Sheriffs have 45 days to issue or deny permits under the law.

A statewide gun-rights group says the process shouldn’t be so cumbersome.

"A conceal/carry permit shouldn’t be any different than a driver’s license or a marriage license," said Gerard Valentino of Pickerington, regional representative of Ohioans for Concealed Carry.

The group is backing a lawsuit against Franklin County Sheriff Jim Karnes by a woman who was denied a permit for an emergency conceal/carry license. In Cuyahoga County, a lawsuit filed by a group member against Sheriff Gerald McFaul was settled this week when he began accepting applications.

Valentino said gun owners observed the law when Ohio didn’t allow concealed handguns, so sheriffs should do the same now that it does.

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Karnes began accepting applications on the day the law went into effect, but his office requires appointments — available four hours a day, three days a week — for people to submit paperwork.

That also became the rule this week in Delaware County, where Sheriff Al Myers said more than half the walk-in applicants were Franklin County residents seeking a quicker permit.

They haven’t found one, though. As of yesterday, Franklin County had received 285 applications and issued 246 permits. Delaware County had received 400 applications and issued two permits.

In Union County, where 135 of the 175 applications have come from Franklin County residents, no permits have been issued.

In other parts of central Ohio:

• Fairfield County Sheriff Dave Phalen has issued about 150 permits, and another 180 applications are pending. The office has denied one request for a 90-day emergency permit.*

• Licking County has had about 140 applicants, and Sheriff Gerry Billy signed off on the first 60 permits this week.

• Pickaway County has taken about 100 applications but has not yet granted any permits.

Valentino said he received his permit from Franklin County two weeks after applying. He said officials are doing a good job once people get in the door, but requiring appointments is hampering the process.

However, Matthew Eyen of Westerville said an appointment made it easier rather than more difficult. He received his conceal/carry permit a week after applying.

"They seem to have thought it through," he said.

Emmett Wheeler, who works on conceal/carry applications in the Franklin County sheriff’s office, said the only delays encountered in getting people their permits are caused by computer problems at the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation and Identification or the need for background checks through the FBI if an applicant has moved from another state within the past five years.

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*There is no provision in law allowing a sheriff to disclose denials to a journalist. That information is in the statistical report annually only, and isn't covered by a journalist request.