More of Ohio's highest-ranking law enforcement officials weigh in on new law
More and more of Ohio's highest-ranking law enforcement officials (Ohio's sheriffs) are weighing in on their views regarding the passage of Ohio's concealed carry law. As expected, the lions-share are signing its praises.
Ross County Sheriff Ron Nichols said "the purpose of this law is to give law-abiding citizens the right to arm themselves," he said. "This law is not a way felons can legally have weapons."
Nichols said he will not fear for his officers' safety anymore than he does now because of the new law.
"This is a serious issue," he said. "Every time a law enforcement officer makes a stop, he is putting his life on the line. The possibility that a gun can be used against an officer is around every day, but we have to remember law-abiding citizens don't pull guns on police officers. It's the criminals that we need to be worried about."
Ottawa County Sheriff Craig Emahiser said he expects the law to have little impact on law-enforcement officers. Many criminals will carry a concealed weapon whether the law allows them to or not, he said.
"Every traffic stop I’ve ever made in my career, you make the traffic stop with the assumption that you’re in danger, and that there’s the possibility that somebody in the vehicle could take deadly action against you," Sheriff Emahiser said.
Marion County Sheriff John Butterworth said he does not think the concealed carry law will pose a problem with increased crime.
"I've seen the statistics from other states that have implemented this law, and there doesn't seem to be an increase in the number of crimes involving firearms," Butterworth said.
Preble County Sheriff Michael Simpson said he supports the legislation, and the new law has earned the support of Brown County Sheriff Dwayne Wenninger.
'I see no problem with the new upcoming carry-and-conceal law. It is a proven fact that crime rates have dropped in other states that have adopted a similar law,' Wenninger said.
Critics of the concealed weapon law say the new legislation, in allowing more people access to concealed weapons, will do more to increase rather than deter gun-related deaths.
Ripley Police Chief Harvey Bowman, however, said he did not anticipate this specific problem arising.
Wenninger concurred with Bowman's assessment.
'Let's face it, if a criminal wants a handgun, do you think they would go through all of the paperwork and then commit a crime? No, they could go to any street corner and pick up a stolen handgun as they often do now,' Wenninger said.
He continued, 'If the person in question had a permit, I would know that they have received the proper training on the handling of a firearm.'
Sgt. John Marhulik of the Niles police department said he believes in the public's Constitutional right to bear arms, and he said he thinks the new law may cut down on some crimes.
Tuscarawas County Sheriff Walt Wilson Wilson has no qualms about the new law. The sheriff said he has known for a long time that criminals carry guns illegally, and always will.
“And I think this law is a vehicle that legally permits citizens to carry concealed handguns for their own protection and the protection of their families,” he said.
Allen County Sheriff Dan Beck expects a flood of applicants, although he believes the number of people who get one will represent a small percentage of the population.
"The good citizens that we have will obey this law in every way," Sheriff Beck said. "The bad guys will always carry a gun, whether they have a permit of not."
Not quite all of Ohio's sheriffs are quite this informed. Click on the "Read More..." link below for examples.
Richland County Sheriff's Maj. Jim Burch said there has been no discussion locally about how to administer the program, which is something he said would be tackled before the law starts.
"I don't agree with it and I just think it's another thing we in law enforcement have to be concerned with," he said. "I know they say crime has decreased in states that have passed a concealed-carry law, but that is something I would want to see for myself."
Lucas County Sheriff James Telb said "I think there’s a lot of people out there carrying firearms ... but who’re not qualified to carry them," Sheriff Telb said.
Marion Police Chief Tom Bell said he is "not really in favor" of it. "I don't understand why people need to have concealed weapons," Bell said. "I have concerns about officer safety and lack of training, about people not knowing when to pull their guns and when to leave them alone." Bell said there are enough problems in society with issues such as road rage, and he fears allowing citizens to carry concealed weapons will make these problems worse.
''I think the NRA and people who supported this (law) never thought about how it's going to affect us,'' Warren police Chief John Mandopoulos said.
Mandopoulos believes people have the right to protect their homes, but doesn't support a law that allows citizens to carry guns in the streets.
''This isn't the Wild West,'' he said.
Mandopoulos added that many people find his anti-gun stance ironic since he is a police officer. The chief - who rarely carries his gun - doesn't want people to think he's soft.
''I don't carry a gun, but I've taken a bunch off of people,'' he said.
Like other chiefs in the Mahoning Valley, Mandopoulos said he's not familiar with many of the fine points of the legislation that was adopted by the state earlier this month.
Adams County Sheriff Kermit Howard didn't have much to say on the new law.
'Other states have adopted the law ... I don't think it's made crime go up or down, I don't know,' said Howard.
Since these guys won't listen to their Ohio colleagues, or even bother to familiarize themselves with the new law before sayign they don't like it, perhaps they'd listen to someone with experience:
Lewis County (KY) Sheriff Bill Lewis is an ardent supporter of Kentucky's concealed weapon law, believing it protects citizens from armed criminals.
'I encourage people who are decent, hard-working taxpayers to go forth and apply for a permit to carry a concealed weapon,' said Lewis.
Lewis could not cite an incident in Lewis County in which a licensed gun owner improperly used his weapon.
'I have not had one incident since I've been sheriff, going on six years now, where one person has used their license improperly,' he said. 'You need to have something to protect yourself.'
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Compiled using press reports from:
Maysville (KY) Ledger Independent
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