So much for ''very little interest'' in concealed carry among Ohioans...

Ohio's media outlets are continuing to provide extensive coverage of the pending implementation of Ohio's new concealed carry reform law.

As you read about the many thousands of applicants, keep in mind all the old claims from the gun control lobby that there was very little interest among Ohioans for concealed carry.

Click on the "Read More..." link below for a long list of links to Ohio media coverage.

Belmont Times-Leader: Belmont County sheriff expects 'flood' of applicants
In Belmont County, Sheriff Tom McCort said he expected to have a "flood" of people visiting the sheriff's office beginning next week to apply for a concealed carry permit.

If applicants seeking a permit to carry a concealed gun have everything in order, the process of obtaining the permit should go very smoothly, according to the sheriff.

"They should have their permit in hand within 10 days or less," McCort estimated, explaining that the sheriff's office has invested in a lot of software in anticipation of the change in the law, and fees from permit applications will pay for the new equipment.

"We want to provide the best service we can for the residents of Belmont County.

"People who want a permit here won't have to wait 45 days."

Bucyrus Telegraph-Forum: Have gun, watch where you travel
In a non-scientific online poll at the Telegraph-Forum's Web site, an overwhelming 92 percent of respondents said they will feel safer when Ohio's concealed carry law takes effect.

Canton Repository: Some customers don’t like law, but happy to get [licenses]
Some customers of the Powder Room don’t like Ohio’s concealed weapons law, which takes effect next week, but they think it’s better than not having anything at all, the gun store and shooting range’s co-owner says.

“There’s some problems with it, but we’ve got something and it’s the best we’ve got now,” Dixon said as a few customers practiced target shooting on Thursday morning in the range next door.

One of those in the range Thursday was Monica Cotner, 28.

“We have a right to concealed-carry and it’s good that we have that option now,” Cotner said after her $10-per-half-hour session. “It’s a personal decision. If I feel I’m threatened and I feel I need to have a gun with me, I feel good that I have that chance.”

Chillicothe Gazette: Some Ross residents see guns as a means of protection
"It's about personal protection," said Robert Cenci, a 36-year-old real estate investor. "The police can only respond to a crime after the fact. They can't prevent things from happening to you, and I want to know I can prevent something from happening to me or my family right then -- not after the fact."

Dayton Daily News: Officials explain conceal's meaning
Criminals are not the only people who will have to get used to the fact that their potential victims will have the right to protect themselves come April 8. Law enforcement officers will have to get used to it, too.

"We're going to have to get used to the fact that we are going to see more guns," Montgomery County Sheriff's Lt. David Spaulding said Wednesday night while addressing a crowd of nearly 200 at Benner Field House, 425 Edison Blvd.

Most of those who attended the seminar are in favor of the law and look forward to attending firearm training.

"I think it's great," said Chris Stauter, 45, of Xenia. "We'll finally be able to protect ourselves when we need it. . . . Criminals will think twice about coming to Greene County."

Fremont News Messenger: [Sheriff] 'anticipating a pretty big rush early'
As thousands of Ohioans eagerly await the state's new concealed weapons law to take effect Thursday, the Sandusky County Sheriff's Office is readying itself for an initial barrage of applicants hoping to be approved to carry hidden guns.

"I don't know how many people will apply (locally), but we're anticipating we'll have a pretty big rush early on and then we'll see it start to taper off," Sheriff David Gangwer said. "The lines could get a little long come April, 8, though. We'll have to be ready to go."

Ft. Wayne Journal Gazette: Concealed gun law causes stir in Ohio
Phil Wells, Paulding County resident and certified instructor, said he had to temporarily stop advertising his class because the response was so immense.

"We couldn't eat supper. The phone would be ringing off the hook," he said. "They'd call when you went to bed. You'd wake up and have three or four messages."

Hamilton Journal News: County sheriff’s office preps for handgun rush
“As we understand how it has happened in other states where they have a conceal-carry law, there is usually a large influx of applications right when it starts,” said Detective Monte Mayer, public information officer. “We anticipate the same thing happening in Ohio and specifically Butler County.”

Although officials could not estimate what kind of crowds are expected, the office has received a “significant amount” of telephone inquiries.

Lancaster Eagle Gazette: County residents prepare for concealed-weapon law to go into effect
Telephones at Ohio Valley Outdoors have been ringing non-stop since Gov. Bob Taft signed legislation in January. Dawn Miller, operations/office manager, said more than 600 people have come through the firearms safety classes since then.

"We used to give three or four classes a month," Miller said. "Since the law passed, we have been holding four classes a week and running training sessions seven days a week."

Lisbon Morning Journal News: Shooters draw bead on concealed-carry permits
The county sheriff’s office is making last-minute preparations to begin accepting applications Thursday from citizens who want to carry concealed weapons.
But Sheriff David Smith said applicants expecting to leave Thursday with a permit in hand should think twice.

"I’ve gotten a lot of calls from people who said they expect to get their permits when they walk in, but that’s not going to happen," he said. "I can accept (applications on Thursday). I just can’t spit them out automatically."

Mansfield News Journal: Training critical for gun law
"The most important part is giving people the mindset to protect themselves and their families," CCW instructor Stephen Anderson Sr. said. "You can only go so far by giving them the knowledge of their firearm and the law.

"Being able to carry a firearm doesn't make them a vigilante," he said. "It's for their personal protection and the protection of their families.

Vernon Christian, who has been involved in law enforcement for 17 years, said he is not concerned about the people legally carrying a concealed weapon but rather the criminals who would not follow the law before or after concealed carry takes effect.

Middletown News Journal: Butler sheriff expecting thousands of concealed carry applications
When Ohio’s concealed carry law goes into effect Thursday, Maj. Anthony Dwyer expects the Butler County Sheriff’s Office to be popular.

Very popular. That’s when county sheriff’s offices in Ohio start taking applications for permits to carry concealed firearms.

“We’re expecting to get thousands,” Dwyer told a Chamber of Commerce luncheon audience Thursday at Forest Hills Country Club.

“There are probably a lot of people here who want to get your license,” he said at one point.

Newark Advocate: County expects rush on [licenses]
Bracing for an onslaught of residents applying to get a concealed-carry gun permit, Licking County Sheriff's deputies have made significant last-minute changes in the way they will accept applications.

On Thursday, sheriff's deputies will accept walk-ins.

Port Clinton News Herald: Applicants to keep sheriff's office busy
With days to go before Ohio's new concealed weapons takes effect, the Ottawa County Sheriff's Office is bracing for a flood of activity.

"You would not believe the number of calls we have received about this," Ottawa County Sheriff Craig V. Emahiser said late last week.

Toledo Blade: Firearm trainers now in big demand to facilitate gun-law requirements
Ohioans for Concealed Carry, which supported the new law when other gun-rights groups condemned it as too strict, has set out to train new volunteer firearms instructors.

"Demand is huge and the supply is going to have to meet that demand," said spokesman Chad Baus of Archbold.

Wooster Daily Record: Attorney general expects onslaught of conceal-carry applicants
“This has been in the works for years,” said John Hohenwarter, a lobbyist for the National Rifle Association, whose organization has about 200,000 members in Ohio. “People have waited so long there is some excitement about the opportunity.”

Zanesville Times Recorder: Local reaction mixed on concealed carry law mixed
"I won't get one -- I just don't have a reason for it, but I don't think its such a bad thing," said Paula Archer, 38, of Zanesville. "I don't have any complaints about it. Look at Texas -- they have had a concealed carry law for a long time, and their crime rate is pretty low. I'm anxious to see how our crime rate goes once this law goes into effect."

and
Dealers: Several factors go into finding the right gun
Joe Pittenger hasn't seen a significant increase in his handgun sales yet, but he is seeing a lot more customers.

"They're looking for information before they get their permit and buy a gun," said Pittenger, owner of Hunters' Hideout in Orient. "The greatest increase is in the women and novice gun buyers. There are a lot more questions coming in."

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100,000 expected to seek [licenses]

Thousands and thousands in Ohio await conceal-carry licenses