Another formerly skeptical Ohio law enforcement official admits concealed carry has worked

by Chad D. Baus

The Port Clinton News Herald is reporting that another law enforcement official has admitted that previous skepticism about Ohio's concealed carry law was unwarranted.

From the story:

Ottawa County Sheriff Bob Bratton said he had issues about the law when the Ohio legislature passed it in 2004.

"I had concerns at first," Bratton said, "but since then we've had no issues."

According to Bratton, the state's sheriffs, who are responsible for issuing permits, were ill-prepared for the onslaught of paperwork the new law required them to complete.

In 2004, Ottawa County issued 391 permits. Sandusky County issued 187.

But seven years later, Bratton said the process has gone well and he supports the law.

"I've always been big on the Second Amendment," he is quoted as saying. "I think you should have the right to have guns."

In 2009 Ottawa and Sandusky counties issued 333 and 473 permits, respectively. The counties also renewed a total of 136 permits.

Although many Ohio law enforcement officials made their reservations about Ohioans carrying concealed guns known, most concerns never panned out.

"We've had no problems that I can speak of," Bratton said. "We've never had to go after a card."

Bratton said if a concealed-carry permit holder is arrested for domestic violence or certain other qualifying offenses, they must turn in their permit and weapons.

"They always come in," he said.

In 2009 Ottawa County denied, revoked or suspended a total of 23 permits, and Sandusky County seven.

Less than one-half of one percent of all CHLs have ever been revoked for any reason, including death or moving out of state.

But according to the story, the success of the CHL law hasn't convinced just everyone.

retired Ottawa County Common Pleas Court Judge Paul Moon said he thought in 2004 and still thinks it's a terrible idea.

"People shouldn't be carrying around weapons on their person or in their cars," he said.

Despite his misgivings, Moon admitted to the newspaper that during his time on the bench he didn't have a single concealed-carry license-related case in his courtroom.

For his part, local attorney Terrence Rudes not only defends people who commit crimes with guns - he also teaches people how to use and conceal them legally.

"I've taught concealed-carry classes since 2006," Rudes said. Although he's glad Ohio passed the law that allows citizens to carry guns, he does have issues with it.

"It's the only constitutional right that requires a permit," he said. "It would be like telling someone they have to get a permit to write newspaper articles."

The story concludes by noting that since 2004, Ohio sheriffs have issued more than 200,000 concealed-carry permits to its citizens, with more than 56,700 in 2009.