Sheriffs find positive new use for CHL equipment

August 13, 2004
Chillicothe Gazette

What began as a piece of equipment to grant concealed weapon licenses is now helping find missing children.

The Ross County Sheriff's Office rolled out a program called KidPrint ID that gives parents an identification card containing a recent photo, physical description and thumb print.

"This is just another tool that we could use to protect our children," Sheriff Ron Nichols said.

The ID card can be created in minutes using a digital camera, laptop computer and portable card printer -- the same printer used to create licenses to carry a concealed handgun. The parents then keep the card and can turn it over to authorities should their child go missing.

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Commentary:
Concealed-carry opponents have complained about the initial expense of this equipment, which was a one-time cost of about $8000.

Now, sheriffs have found two ways to use the machine to help save lives.

1) Arm the parents who can protect their children.

2) Provide the option for parents to obtain an digital ID.

Will the gun ban extremists still try to claim the cost wasn't worth the life-saving potential?

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