Retired woman gets county's first license to carry a concealed gun
The Clark Co. Sheriff is one of many that have begun issuing licenses to qualified applicants.
permits in accordance with the law are displaying the professionalism
that you lack.
April 22, 2004
Springfield News-Sun
Eleanor Roberts on Wednesday morning picked up her Ohio concealed carry license, the first such gun permit issued in Clark County.
"For once I'm No. 1," said Roberts, 61, who secured the license so she would be prepared to defend her home.
"All the bad guys have the guns anyway, so now maybe they'll be a little hesitant to come and bother the good guys because they may have one," the retired civil servant said.
"We're making history today," Sheriff Gene A. Kelly said as he presented licenses to Roberts and a handful of others at the Sheriff's Office east substation. "These are good people. They've been waiting for this a long time."
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Of 187 license applications so far, sheriff's deputies expected to issue about 15 Wednesday that were approved by the state.
Kelly said Roberts' was the first license returned to his office since applications were first accepted April 1. Applicants must complete 12 hours of training, pay a $45 fee and pass a background check.
Kelly said Roberts' application likely came through first because she has the "cleanest background in Clark County."
Roberts' experience with firearms involved target practice with guns owned by her husband, an avid hunter. Breaking and entering of homes in Clark County prompted her to apply for her license and complete the required training.
Now trained and licensed to carry her Smith & Wesson .38-special revolver, Roberts received her license before her husband, who also applied.
Kelly said more people carrying guns isn't a concern for law enforcement officers, who should assume people they encounter could be carrying a gun.
"It's what we do every day," Kelly said. "We're at risk now. But with this we're going to know that they're a permit holder."
Having a license is something Roberts takes seriously.
"Just because you can carry doesn't mean you can just shoot somebody," she said. "It's frightful to think you might be forced to use it. It's going to be traumatic, if I ever have to."
She added, though, "If it is a matter of my life or yours, I feel that I would have no choice."
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