Concealed carry licensees from area are pleased with newfound freedom

May 6, 2004
Zanesville Times Recorder

ZANESVILLE -- More than a hundred residents in Muskingum, Morgan, Licking and Guernsey counties have received their concealed carry weapons licenses, and applications keep coming.

Major Bryan Hoover of the Muskingum County Sheriff's Office couldn't determine who the first person to receive the license was, but 116 have been issued to applicants from those four counties since Tuesday. Fourteen of those were women, including Christie Hall of Zanesville.

Hall, 30, was excited to get her permit after burglars broke into her father's business and assaulted him.

"I had signed up to take the class before what happened to my dad," she said. "I feel we have a right as Americans to have a weapon and be able to bear arms."

Hall's main reason for obtaining a license is to be able to protect herself if there is ever a need.

"I don't carry it with me all the time. But if I go out of town and my car breaks down, I've got my gun for protection," she said. "I don't ever want to use it, and hopefully I won't ever need to."

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Susan and Todd Thompson of White Cottage also cited personal freedoms and safety as their main reason for getting a license.

"I've always felt it was every person's God-given right to defend themselves and their families," Todd Thompson, 43, said. "I'm glad the Ohio legislature and the governor have acknowledged that, and given the average person a little more feeling of security and self confidence."

The Thompsons have never experienced a situation where having a weapon might prove as a deterrent to a crime, but both travel and have felt uneasy in some locations.

"It is just my right that I can carry one to defend myself," Susan Thompson, 42, said. "I don't want to have the opportunity to use it, but if something happened, I would be prepared."

Although many businesses are displaying signs advising patrons not to carry concealed weapons on their premises, Todd Thompson thinks over time that will change.

"We need to prove to the rest of the public that Ohio isn't going to be the wild, wild West," Todd Thompson said. "Business owners need to know we are responsible, have been well trained and have a good understanding on how grave lethal force is."

Other recent updates from Ohio counties:

Sheriff sports CCW permit
Most people questioned by The Advocate say they want to carry a handgun for personal protection, or to feel more secure. Others say they want to get the permit to exercise their Second Amendment right to keep and bear arms.

Licking County Prosecutor Robert Becker said other states that have enacted right-to-carry laws have not experienced problems with citizens breaking concealed-carry laws.

Civilian permits issued
A total of 63 concealed-carry permits are slated to be issued this week. Since the sheriff's office began accepting applications on April 8, the office has been swamped with applications that continuously pour in, Richards said.

"They're still coming in hot and heavy," Richards said, adding the appointment-only schedule is booked through July.

"By and large, the people who come in here seem responsible. I don't have any apprehension," Richards said. "I've met a lot of nice people coming through here. That's encouraging. Maybe the bad guys aren't concerned about getting a license."