The Newark Advocate is reporting that almost four people came in every business day through the first three months of the year, 252 in all, to either renew or seek a new permit to arm themselves discretely in public, according to figures from the Licking County Sheriff's Office. During the same period in 2008, the story notes 107 people sought concealed handgun licenses in that county.

As Buckeye Firearms Association has reported, the increases have been seen across the state, with an average of 326 people per work-day picking up a CHL in the first quarter (a number that is even more impressive when one considers that many sheriffs do not accept CHLs five days per week).

Ken Richardson, who runs the sheriff's office concealed-carry licensure program, is quoted as saying he expects this year's renewals and original licenses to exceed 1200.

Republican State Representative Josh Mandel, a former endorsee of Buckeye Firearms Association, has announced his candidacy for State Treasurer not through the traditional press release or press conference, but via a video posted on his website, www.JoshMandel.com.

Mandel, who served two tours of duty in Iraq as an intelligence specialist with the United States Marine Corps, is currently in his second term as a state representative. He says the Internet announcement is symbolic of the technological advances he hopes to harness in the state treasurer's office.

"Should I be elected state treasurer, I plan to maximize peoples hard-earned dollars to utilize technology to save costs in the treasurer's office as well as communicate with my constituents directly," he said.