The concealed handgun law has only been on the books in the Buckeye State since 2004, but more and more Ohioans are taking the necessary steps to exercise their right to arm and protect themselves and their families.
Handgun licenses in Ohio hit a new record high last year; 56,691 licenses were issued across the state, smashing the previous high set in 2004 when the concealed handgun law first went into effect.
"Sales of guns were through the roof last year," said Rick Kaleda, Mahoning County chairperson for the Buckeye Firearms Association. "And responsible citizens being responsible are going to want to take the next logical step and get the training and licenses and everything that they need to be safe."
Local experts say crime, the economy, and political climate all contribute to the spike in gun licenses.
"They watch the news. They hear what's going on out there," said Miller Rod & Gun's Mike Miller. "They think now that they have the availability of that permit. Now it's starting to sink in, that it's not going to go away. It is a new law and they can get that permit and carry that gun."
You can't get a handgun license without first taking and passing a firearms safety, and conceal carry class. If you're caught carrying a concealed weapon without that class or the license, that's a felony.
"There's criminals out there who sometimes feel that they should also have the same right," Miller said. "There's also people who do things that they shouldn't do because they're either ignorant of the law, or they fail to pay attention to what they should do to do things the correct way."
More gun licenses were awarded in Columbiana and Trumbull Counties than Mahoning. Kaleda said Mahoning County makes the whole process more difficult.
"Mahoning County is the only county in the state that requires that a citizen prove they've been a resident by providing documentation that they've been a resident of Ohio for five years."
Attorney General Richard Cordray said he has a strong partnership with county sheriffs who issue concealed handgun licenses, and will continue to work together to help eligible Ohioans take advantage of this law.
NRA certified instructors such as Miller and Kaleda teach a state approved 12-hour concealed carry class. It's 10 hours in the classroom and two on the shooting range. But the class doesn't guarantee you a gun license. It just means you can apply for one and begin the necessary background check with your county sheriff's office.
