RSS | Print | Comments | Tell a Friend | Larger Text | Smaller Text | Bookmark and Share

Local News

Friday, March 12, 2010

More want concealed handguns
Hancock Federal Credit Union
By JORDAN CRAVENS

staff writer

County sheriffs in Ohio issued more licenses to carry concealed handguns in 2009 than they did in 2007 and 2008 combined.

In northwestern Ohio counties, the number of licenses issued doubled last year compared to 2008, according to statistics from the Ohio Attorney General's Office.

Authorities say the skyrocketing number of licenses can be attributed to several factors: political change, the recession, and citizens wanting to protect their right to bear arms.

"People are starting to realize that the thin blue line of law enforcement cannot be there for every single call," said Hancock County Sheriff's Deputy Keith Hendricks, who processes the concealed carry permits for the county.

In Hancock County, 440 concealed carry licenses were issued last year, compared with 262 in 2008.

Those numbers are consistent with statewide statistics, which show there were 56,691 licenses issued last year and 33,864 in 2008. In 2004, the first year licenses were issued in Ohio, 45,497 people obtained them.

"I think it's a combination of factors, but probably the biggest thing is the fear of government control of weapons and protecting Second Amendment rights," said Putnam County Sheriff James Beutler.

In Putnam County, the number of people who were issued licenses last year more than quadrupled from 2008. There were 140 licenses issued in 2009, compared with 31 in 2008.

Hendricks said the demand for concealed carry licenses surged in fall 2008 and continued through the third quarter of 2009.

"People are buying guns and ammunition like it's going out of style," he said.

"As the economy changes and our government changes, there are a lot of things people are taking into consideration," Beutler said.

Home invasions are on the rise with the down economy and more people want self-protection, Beutler said.

The economy has also affected manpower at law enforcement agencies. Many departments have fewer officers covering the same amount of ground, which in some cases can slow response times.

"People just don't want to take chances protecting themselves and their family," Beutler said.

Handgun sales are on the rise, too.

At TNT Firearms in Findlay, handguns have been selling like hotcakes, according to owner Roger Thomas.

He noticed a spike in business in November 2008 when President Barack Obama was elected.

Carrying a concealed weapon "is for protection. When people start losing their jobs, what do you see? You see an increase in home invasions and robberies," Thomas said.

"The people just aren't going to stand for it," he said.

While the majority of TNT's customers are men, Thomas said women are also buying handguns. The number of women buying guns has quadrupled since the presidential election, he said.

Cravens: 419-427-8422,

Send an e-mail to Jordan Cravens


Subscribe to The Courier.
Comment on This Story
NOTE: Comment moderation has been enabled. If you see a comment that violates our Electronic User Agreement, please e-mail webmaster@thecourier.com. Thank you. If you are having problems viewing this Web page, please contact our Internet Department to help us diagnose and correct the problem. We may contact you for more information. Thanks in advance.
Your e-mail address will not be displayed on this website or shared with anyone. It is used by our online editor for contacting purposes.
Comments are moderated by The Courier according to its Electronic User Agreement within one business day. Comments that slander others or include language that violates the agreement will be rejected. All comments that impart opinion and information are welcome.

5 Comments

Latest comments listed first.
Castor Troy wrote:
learn before you speak
“ The US Army defines assault rifles as "short, compact, selective-fire weapons that fire a cartridge intermediate in power between submachinegun and rifle cartridges.

Don't listen to what politicians and the news tells you. Semi automatic weapons are not assault rifles since they don't have a selective fire feature.

FYI, automatic weapons are LEGAL in Ohio. ”
Monday, March 15, 2010 1:51:21 AM
Doug B wrote:
Just guessing
“ By the remarks made by the previous posters I would question if any of the of the 3 have really read not just the 2nd Amendment, but the intent behind it. While I am not for big government, I do believe times have changed since the 2nd Amendment and there needs to be control of guns to an extent.
It was intended for ones own protection and for a Militia to protect the Individual States, it was never intended for Joe Citizen to own a half dozen assault rifles, or a couple 50 cal machine guns. Protection purposes only, not weapons of mass collections!

And yes I do believe that every American should be able to protect his/her family with firearms. But that doesn't mean with an AK47 or any other automatic or semi automatic assault rifle! That wasn't what our forefathers had in mind when it was wrote!

All for concealed weapons permits, but cautious of stretching the intent! ”
Saturday, March 13, 2010 11:26:04 AM
scott wrote:
arms
“ keepin' arms regardless of what anybody says
 ”
Friday, March 12, 2010 6:18:16 PM
Doug wrote:
Right to Keep And Bear
“ So as it would turn out. The people (democrats) who are proponents of gun control, just by being in control of the country, are the best reason in a long time for keeping and protecting "The Right to Keep And Bear Arms" LMAO ”
Friday, March 12, 2010 7:11:01 AM
BB wrote:
Rights
“ We need to keep reminding the leaders we have a right to bear arms. Its what our men and women fight for! ”
Friday, March 12, 2010 6:43:54 AM
   NEWS VIDEO

Benton Ridge Shooting

This video, released by the Hancock County Prosecutor's Office, shows the shooting of a Lima man who led authorities on a three-county chase ending Aug.24 in Benton Ridge. Be cautioned, the video contains graphic content.
   SPECIAL SECTIONS
Summer Coupons
   WEEKEND
USA Weekend

ANDERSON COOPER: Five years after Hurricane Katrina, the CNN reporter returns to New Orleans as the Gulf Coast faces even newer challenges.


Roses are red...

SOLUTIONS, NOT PROBLEMS: The University of Findlay plays host to competitive sailor who is a quadruple amputee.

ALSO IN WEEKEND: Area events,
prep boys and girls soccer and a trip to Niagra Falls.

   STAY IN TOUCH
The Courier on Facebook
   VIRTUAL VILLAGE
TisaWee Farm

Far Flung Guest Book

Virtual Village
   PHOTO GALLERY
Randy's Seen

IMAGE BLOG: Go behind the scenes with Courier photographer Randy Roberts.


You can purchase photographs from The Courier through our easy-to-use online system. Get prints, mousepads, T-shirts and more!

   LOCAL NEWS
  LATEST COMMENTS Last 10 comments submitted by our readers...
SICK OF THE WHINERS wrote in article "31 charged in Hardin drug probe":
DRUG BUST
“ Kenton has alot more drugs than Findlay!!! To those of you who don't like Hancock county, LEAVE! Everytime law enforcement in... ” Read More...
9/2/2010 11:19:09 AM
The Layman wrote in article "Parole denied in murder case":
Out of control
“ I'm sorry but there are way too many personal attacks allowed on this forum. You invalidate your point when you stray from the f... ” Read More...
9/2/2010 11:08:44 AM
j wrote in article "Many winners named as Hancock Fair opens":
Good but little expensive
“ The fair was interesting, but at $5 for the more popular rides on the expensive side, same with the food, many people commented... ” Read More...
9/2/2010 10:37:10 AM
JM wrote in article "McComb couple is serious about fair competition":
Very nice!
“ What a lovely article. Will have to check out their goods at the fair. ” Read More...
9/2/2010 10:21:42 AM
Ed wrote in article "Shooting video released":
Dirt bag...
“ A head shot would have put an end to the both dirt bag's chance of getting more money. NATE: could it be that you have some fir... ” Read More...
9/2/2010 9:53:26 AM
Yfkm wrote in article "Heroin outbreak":
Denial
“ To Tony and TL Every good citizen, parent and public official advocates the eradication of drugs from our communities; you are n... ” Read More...
9/2/2010 9:08:20 AM
Penny Musgrave wrote in article "Shooting video released":
Benton Ridge Shooting
“ Although I am all for catching the criminal, I don't condone what was done to this guy. They converged on him like gangbusters b... ” Read More...
9/2/2010 8:43:07 AM
Yfkm wrote in article "Parole denied in murder case":
Unqualified reassurance
“ To Tony - here is another example of your inability to see situations as they really are. It is obvious that you are so self in... ” Read More...
9/2/2010 8:42:45 AM
JP wrote in article "Pigskin Picks":
Wood Shed???
“ "Bubba," why would a Tiger take a Polar Bear to the wood shed? Wouldn't it be more likely that: Tigers knock Polar Bears into a... ” Read More...
9/2/2010 7:16:48 AM
poor victim!!!!! wrote in article "Shooting video released":
Nate
“ Nate your a moron and obviously do not know a thing about use of force. Also most taser cartridges carried have a 15 ft to 35 f... ” Read More...
9/2/2010 7:15:05 AM
  U.S. Headlines
  World News
  Ohio News
News Briefs Firefighters discover 20 marijuana plants in house
After fighting a house fire early Monday at 815 Howard St., firefighters found 20 marijuana plants in the residence.

"They ran across it and called us," said police Sgt. Justin Hendren with the Hancock County METRICH Drug Enforcement Unit.

Police seized all 20 plants, and Hendren said charges are pending.

High-powered growing lights, fans, and a box filled with dried marijuana were also found in the house, according to a police report.

Investigators said an electrical short started the fire before 3 a.m. Monday.

The blaze caused an estimated $12,000 in damage to the residence, owned by Amanda Crawford. No one was injured, according to the Findlay Fire Department.

Carey announces holiday closing
CAREY -- Carey offices, including administrative, income tax and utilities, electric, wastewater treatment plant, and public works, will be closed Monday in observance of Labor Day.

The curbside recycling program will be held Tuesday through Thursday, Sept. 7-9.

Findlay trooper named sergeant
Trooper Jacob L. Fletcher, assigned to the Findlay post of the State Highway Patrol, was promoted to sergeant Wednesday by Patrol Superintendent Col. David Dicken.

With the promotion, Fletcher will stay at the Findlay post and serve as an assistant post commander, according to the patrol.

Fletcher began his patrol career in 2002 after graduating from the 139th Academy class and has been assigned to the Findlay post since.

Owens announces holiday schedule
The Toledo and Findlay campuses of Owens Community College will be closed Saturday through Monday for the Labor Day holiday.

There will be no classes and the college offices will be closed.

Classes will resume and offices will open again on Tuesday.

Holiday changes ad deadlines
The Courier won't be published on Monday, in observance of the Labor Day holiday.

Because of the holiday, some advertising deadlines have been moved up this week:

Black and white display advertising for Tuesday's newspaper must be placed by noon Friday. Display advertising for Wednesday's newspaper must be placed by 2:30 p.m. Friday.

Color display advertising for the Thursday, Sept. 9 newspaper must be placed by Friday.

Classified advertising and City and Country advertising for Saturday's newspaper must be placed by 2 p.m. Friday. Classified ads for Tuesday's newspaper must be placed by 2:30 p.m. Friday.

Courier business and advertising offices will close at 3 p.m. Friday for the holiday.