Attorney General announces Third Quarter 2010 CHL statistics
by Jim Irvine
Ohio Attorney General Richard Cordray (D) has released the concealed handgun license (CHL) statistics for the third quarter of 2010. During the quarter ending September 2010, Ohio surpassed 200,000 outstanding concealed handgun licenses. The quarter ended with a record of approximately 208,350 Ohio residents licensed to carry concealed firearms. (See chart)
We are in our seventh year of concealed carry in Ohio and it is clear that the program is popular, successful and growing. Ohio's law became effective in April of 2004. The third quarter is generally the slowest quarter of the year, and 2010 is no exception. While the numbers are lower than the surge following the election of President Obama, they are still well ahead of prior year's numbers and more than double the third quarter in years 2005, 2006 and 2007.
There were 2,763 CHL's renewed and 18 temporary emergency licenses (TEL's) issued during the quarter. Combined with 9,775 regular licenses, that brings the total to 12,287 licenses issued during the quarter, or an average of almost 200 licenses issued every work day by Ohio sheriffs. That equates to over five licenses being issued per hour, 7 days a week, 24 hours a day.
With such a popular program for their constituents, and getting their much- sought- after fee increases this year, it is puzzling that the Buckeye State Sheriff's Association (BSSA) is opposed to the current reform bill, SB239. We welcome feedback if you know why your sheriff is opposed to your having similar protection for your family in restaurants that serve alcohol that his deputies enjoy. It seems they have forgotten that they work for you.
If is even more frustrating that SB239 and SB247 have not been given a vote by the Ohio House. Judging by the votes when the bills passed the Senate, and the votes on the discharge petition in the House, it is clear that legislators support these bills. What's more, Governor Strickland has indicted his support and desire to sign the bills on multiple occasions.
Initial issue licenses continue to out-pace renewals in total numbers. The renewal rate is still 79% during the quarter. There were approximately 750 licenses that expired during the quarter without being renewed. By comparison there were close to 10,000 new licenses issued. That illustrates that concealed carry is more than just a fad. Like seat belts and smoke detectors, it is a change in how we live our lives. Every day more people realize they need to take responsibility for their own safety and take steps that are likely to see them through the perils which are impacting others in our community on a daily basis.
License-holders, like gun owners in general, are not extremists as the anti-gun crowd claims. They are honorable citizens who want protection from real dangers. They understand that police cannot protect them from a rape or murder any more than they can prevent someone from running a red light. Responsible people wear a seat belt for protection themselves in a car accident. They carry a gun to protect themselves and family from a criminal attack.
With over 208,000 Ohio citizens licensed to carry handguns, anytime you are in a group of five dozen adults, odds are there is one with you. If you are with an older or more affluent group, the odds are even greater. In short, there are few public locations you can travel where there will not be a license-holder near. Unfortunately, because of the many places license-holders are still prohibited from carrying their guns, the license does not necessarily translate into having someone ready and armed to stop an attack. We will be calling on Ohio legislators to eliminate many of these victim zones in the coming session.
In the first year of Ohio's concealed carry law, the anti-self-defense people bragged about the "small" demand for the new CHLs. They claimed that only a few fringe gun nuts wanted to carry "hidden" guns. It is now clear that those who seek to deny others the right of self-defense are themselves the radical minority.
Their cries of "blood in the streets" have never materialized. A record number of Ohioans are carrying guns. Today we hear the same tired cries about our continued efforts to "de-Taft" our concealed carry laws. The same rantings are as wrong today as they were eight years ago. While no large group of people is perfect, the CHL-holder has proven to be considerably more law-abiding than the population at large. Less than one-half of one percent of all CHL's have ever been revoked for any reason, including death or moving out of state. Concealed carry works.
It always takes time for the feelings of society to have a real change in heart and adopt new safety ideas. It was once normal for kids to ride in cars with no seat belts or even car seats. Today such behavior is criminally reckless. We rode bikes with no helmets. CPR was to be left to "the professionals."
Thousands of lives are saved annually because our society realized how quickly a life could be lost, and how a few simple changes make the difference between life and death. With the surging numbers of gun owners and concealed carry permits and licenses, the day when carrying a gun for safety is as accepted as using a seat belt seems to be a little closer at hand.
Jim Irvine is the Buckeye Firearms Association Chairman.
Further Information:
Ohio Attorney General - 2010 Q3 Concealed Carry Stats
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