Concealed Carry [Licenses] Coming Soon In Delaware Co.

Unlike the situation in Cuyahoga Co., when that sheriff failed to do his duty under the law, the Delaware Co. sheriff had a desire to follow the law, and was in need of the proper tools.

OFCC steering committee members have been working tirelessly to get this situation resolved, and we are pleased to announce that aggressive action is now being taken to correct the situation. Special thanks go to the Ohio Attorney General's office, and to Representative Jon Peterson (R-2) (a 2002 OFCC PAC Endorsee) for their assistance in this matter.

May 27, 2004
NBC4Columbus.com

DELAWARE, Ohio -- The first round of applicants for concealed carry permits in Delaware County will receive phone calls or letters in the next few days notifying them if their applications have been approved, according to Sheriff Al Myers.

Myers said the county has received more than 500 applications for permits since the new law went into effect April 8. His office has issued more than 100 licenses, and more than 50 appointments have been made to issue more licenses.

Myers said he will appear June 1 before the Board of County Commissioners to ask for an additional temporary employee to help with the applications. He said the most time-consuming part is the background check, especially waiting for out-of-county responses.

"I support the Second Amendment, and the statute says I need to process these applications in 45 days," Myers said. "I take that legal obligation seriously."

Myers also said he instructed his deputies to use a "common sense" approach in deciding whether to make an arrest for a person carrying a concealed weapon.

"There are folks out there who legitimately carried a gun prior to the new law, and now their old affirmative defense has been taken away," Myers said.

Myers said he consulted with Delaware County Prosecutor Dave Yost, who agreed to review all charges personally before presenting them to the grand jury.

"He agrees that people shouldn't be turned into criminals because they're waiting on paperwork," Myers said.