Demand continues to soar for concealed carry licenses in Ohio

By Jim Irvine

Ohio Attorney General Richard Cordray (D) has released the concealed handgun license (CHL) statistics for the fourth quarter of 2009 and the year-end report, Ohio Concealed Handguns Law - 2009 Annual Report. There were 10,687 concealed handgun licenses (CHL's) issued for the period of October through December 2009, falling just one short of the record set for the same quarter the year before. For the year, new records were set for initial licenses issued, temporary emergency licenses and total licenses issued.

The fourth quarter has generally been a good quarter for licenses issued, and 2009 was no exception. The demand for licenses to carry concealed handguns remained strong through the entire year. During the final quarter, Ohio sheriffs issued 10,687 CHL's, 15 temporary emergency licenses (TEL's) and processed another 3,112 renewals.

The waning months of 2008 were stronger than anyone expected. The 10,688 regular licenses issued was an unprecedented 111% increase over the same period a year earlier. The fact that we have matched that same total a year later is a clear indication that the surge in gun ownership is not some temporary anomaly. Gun owners and concealed carry license holders are growing in numbers and becoming more active.

Readers are aware that Ken Hanson, Buckeye Firearms Association Legislative Chair, is on the ballot for the National Rifle Association's Board of Directors. The Ballots are located in the March edition of your NRA magazine. (American Rifleman, American Hunter, and America's 1st Freedom) Ken's bio and qualifications can be reviewed in this article or at his Web site.

Buckeye Firearms Association encourages all voters to educate themselves about the various candidates on the ballot, as there are 31 people seeking to fill 25 spots. Equally important is that voters educate themselves on the mechanics of the election.

The top 25 vote-getters win the election. Each voter can vote for UP TO 25 candidates. There is no requirement, however, that all 25 votes be cast by the voter. In this type of election, voting for FEWER than 25 candidates can have a greater impact than voting for the full 25. The reasoning is as follows: