Tuesday, March 10, 2009

Record year for Ohio permit applications

From Buckeye Firearms Association:
The Ohio Attorney General Richard Cordray (D) has released the concealed handgun license (CHL) statistics for the fourth quarter of 2008 and the year-end report, Ohio Concealed Handgun Law - 2009 Annual Report. Just as we have seen a spike in demand for guns, we see a strong surge in concealed carry applications from people who want to carry a concealed weapon (CCW).

The fourth quarter has generally been a good quarter for licenses issued, but demand in the waning months of 2008 was stronger than anyone expected. The 10,668 regular licenses issued was an unprecedented 111% increase over the same period a year earlier. There were more licenses issued in the last three months of 2008 than the last quarter of 2006 and 2007 combined. It is also the highest demand for new licenses since the 3rd quarter of 2004, the first full quarter the CCW law was in effect.

Additionally, approximately 78% of expiring CHLs (5,476) were renewed in the fourth quarter. That means 265 people received a new license to carry a firearm every working day. New licenses averaged over 175 every business day – stronger demand than any quarter in the last 4 years!

in 2008, there were 33,864 regular licenses issued. That is a whopping 53% increase over last year, which was sharply up from the year prior. Issuances of Temporary Emergency Licenses (TELs) also doubled for the quarter, bringing the year to date total to 73 TELs issued. Adding in the renewals, Ohio's sheriffs issued 65,256 licenses to carry concealed handguns last year. ...

Article here. All those "ordinary" citizens carrying guns. And still no "blood in the streets." :)

As we've seen in other states, I expect this trend will continue, particularly if the economy worsens in the coming months.

Read the Ohio AG report here.

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