BSSA President: ''ALL 88 SHERIFFS WILL ACCEPT APPLICATIONS APRIL 8''

11:15pm Friday, April 02, 2004

Over the past two weeks, Ohioans For Concealed Carry has been working tirelessly with the Buckeye State Sheriff's Association to investigate reports of sheriffs telling reporters and constituents that they would not be accepting applications on April 8.

On Monday, March 29, amidst widespread reports of potential delays, OFCC publicized a statement by Buckeye State Sheriff's Association (BSSA) Executive Director Bob Cornwell on this website, and also to state media:

'Sheriffs have a "duty under the law" to accept applications on April 8 to "everyone who shows up and files one", and to issue licenses to qualified applicants, within 45 days. Sheriffs must also be prepared to issue temporary emergency licenses to those meeting the requirements, on April 8.'

At the same time, OFCC also requested the help of it's members, and they responded - many called sheriffs' offices to determine their preparedness for April 8, and then forwarded the results of those calls to OFCC.

Even at the outset of the week, most sheriffs were reporting that they were indeed going to be ready for April 8. But there were, initially, some serious concerns. To name a few:

In Cuyahoga County, Sheriff McFall was telling constituents that no applications would be accepted until sometime in May. Several other sheriffs offices were also saying they would not be ready to fulfill their duty "under the law" to accept applications on April 8.

In Franklin County, Sheriff Karnes announced he would not accept applications on April 8, and that he was implementing a system which appeared to allow the processing of only 12 applicants per week, in a county of over 1 million people. We learned other sheriffs were also implementing appointment procedures - their intentions for doing so unknown.

OFCC and the Buckeye State Sheriff's Association pleased to report that after another week of hard work, many of these problems have been resolved.

On Friday, April 2, BSSA President Michael Heldman (Hancock Co. Sheriff) informed OFCC that his organization had confirmed that "all 88 sheriffs will be accepting applications on April 8", as is their duty under the law. When asked specifically about Cuyahoga and Franklin Counties, Heldman reiterated that they would be accepting applications on April 8.

OFCC's research into counties who have announced an appointment process has also been encouraging.

Based on conversations with these sheriffs, we are convinced that, in most cases, the purpose for scheduling appointments is not in any way to limit who or how many can file applications.

To the contrary, the stated purpose in these temporary appointment systems is to establish some sense of order, while the offices work to learn these new procedures, to learn how long it takes to process an applicant, and to learn how to operate new equipment. By and large, it is the sole intent of these sheriffs to dot his in order to better and more quickly serve the public.

Both the sheriffs and BSSA have assured OFCC that every such policy is subject to change, and will be reviewed and updated as the sheriff ascertains how best to do this new job and fulfill their "SHALL-issue" obligations under the law for ALL qualified applicants, within 45 days of submission.

Though a few individual sheriffs are very opposed to civilians with firearms, OFCC would like to remind applicants that the Buckeye State Sheriff's Association (by a strong majority vote of the 88 sheriffs) fought diligently for Ohio's new concealed carry law, alongside OFCC. These sheriffs all have a huge job to do next week. Most sheriff departments are doing an incredible job getting ready for the onslaught. They deserve our respect for the work they have done.

Please do your part to help ensure a more orderly, speedy process by making sure you have everything properly prepared. Download your application and have it filled out in advance. Bring your photo, your payment, and your driver's license.

We will undoubtedly have hiccups in various counties on April 8. Most will turn out to be a natural part of implementing such a massive undertaking. And while we hope not, a few may turn out to be more sinister, and even illegal. Rest assured that Ohioans For Concealed Carry is prepared to take action in that eventuality.

Attorney General's Office assures OFCC of on-time implementation

BSSA: Pieces in place; 88 county sheriffs MUST take applications Apr. 8

BSSA Exec. Dir.: Sheriffs have ''duty under law'' to accept apps April 8