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:

Open houses will be on a Saturday

The Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife invites the public to its annual Open Houses on Saturday, March 6, 2010, from 12:00 noon until 3 p.m.

"At each open house location, fish and wildlife biologists along with law enforcement officers will be on hand to answer questions," said David M. Graham, chief of the Division of Wildlife. Graham adds that this year's open houses will be on a Saturday, a notable change as in the past these events were traditionally held on a Sunday.

Anyone interested in providing input and participating in Ohio's professional wildlife management process is encouraged to attend. This year’s topics include fishery management changes for walleye, saugeye and sauger in some of Ohio's inland waterways. Changes to rules concerning the taking, possession, and propagation of native Ohio amphibians and reptiles will also be considered.

Season dates and bag limits of game species will be available, which will include Ohio's most popular game animal, the white-tailed deer. Open house attendees will also have the opportunity to comment on the draft version of the Division of Wildlife's Strategic Plan.

Open houses are scheduled for the same day and time in Akron, Athens, Columbus, Findlay, and Xenia. Public input gathered at these open houses will be forwarded to the division's central office in Columbus, where it is considered during the formulation of regulations.

For the fifth year in a row, Buckeye Firearms Association has teamed up with the U.S. Sportsmen's Alliance, as well as several other conservation & firearms-related groups, to host a candidate's forum. The event will take place in Columbus on March 9th from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., and we hope you will make plans to attend!

Several Buckeye Firearms Association leaders and volunteers will be on hand. This is an excellent opportunity to meet with us, as well as the many Ohio candidates that will be in attendance. There is no better way to become informed about our choices in the upcoming elections, and to make our voices heard.

By Chad D. Baus

Agents and officers of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) reported that 289 of their handguns, shotguns or automatic rifles had been lost or stolen between 2005 and 2008, the agency's inspector general said in a report released last week.

Some of the weapons were left in places such as fast-food restaurant restrooms, bowling alleys and clothing stores.

From the Columbus Dispatch:

Most of the losses could have been prevented, Homeland Security Inspector General Richard Skinner said in the report. In one case, his office stated, a border officer left a weapon in his idling vehicle at a convenience store. Both the weapon and the vehicle were stolen.

In another case, a shotgun and semiautomatic rifle were stolen from an officer's closet at home. Other agents left firearms in truck beds or on vehicle bumpers, where weapons fell off as they drove away.

A new law allowing concealed carry in national parks went into effect on February 22, and according to the Cleveland Plain Dealer, the change "got more resistance from the weather than from the handful of visitors in the Cuyahoga Valley National Park Monday.

The nation's largest anti-hunting group, the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), has issued "report cards" for Congress for years as a way to show who supports their agenda and who doesn't. Now, HSUS is issuing a similar report card for states based upon the type of laws each has on its books.

On February 8, HSUS announced it was releasing its first "Humane State Ranking." According to the group's press release, this is intended to be "a comprehensive report rating all 50 states on a wide range of animal protection laws dealing with pets, animal cruelty and fighting, wildlife, animals in research, horses, and farm animals."

HSUS ranks California as its most humane state. Apparently, California has what HSUS considers good laws in 45 out 65 categories. Among those categories, HSUS supports such anti-hunting laws as bans on Sunday hunting and strict prohibitions on hunting bears and mourning doves.

According to the Columbus Dispatch, the anti-hunting animal rights group People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals is applauding Ohio first lady Frances Strickland for not wearing fur.

From the story:

PETA said it recently sent surveys to first ladies across the country asking them whether they wear fur, and that Strickland was among the first to respond, "No, I do not wear fur."

"We're thrilled that Frances Strickland is among the world-class first ladies who are setting a wonderful example by respecting animals and declaring that fur is dated and cruel," PETA Senior Vice President Dan Mathews said in a statement.

The story goes on to report the group said it is sending Strickland a box of vegan chocolates "as a token of appreciation for her fur-free stance." A Strickland spokeswoman says the first lady will be returning the gift, in keeping with the governor's ethics policy.

House Bill 158, which seeks to add instructors who are certified to teach courses that meet the requirements of Ohio's concealed handgun license (CHL) law to the list of persons who are exempted from paying a fee to obtain a CHL, has been added to the House Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security agenda for proponent, opponent and interested party testimony, Tuesday, February 22 at 3:00pm in Statehouse Hearing Room 122.

The purpose for Tuesday's hearing is so that the committee may hear testimony on HB158 from any persons who wish to weigh in on the legislation.

The bill has been co-sponsored by Reps. John Adams (R), Dan Dodd (D), Lorraine Fende (D), Tom Letson (D), Dennis Murray (D), and Mark Okey (D).

For more information on HB158, see: Rep. John Domenick introduces HB158, seeks to waive CHL fees for certified instructors.

For a complete list of legislation which we are tracking in the 128th General Assembly, visit the Buckeye Firearms Association Legislation Guide.

By Chad D. Baus

In a recent opinion piece ("Obama Anti-gun? No, anti-gun control"), Chicago Tribune columnist Steve Champan referenced "Obama's overall refusal to do anything to advance gun control."

I contacted Mr. Chapman to advise him that Obama has, in fact, called for the advance of gun control by urging the U.S. Senate to ratify a United Nations treaty on small arms control. I provided a link which contained video of CNN's Bill Tucker on Lou Dobbs Tonight last April, noting that the treaty would "create a national registry for guns."

Chapman replied:

If you have anything that would document how the proposed treaty would violate gun owners' rights, I'd be interested in seeing it.