Sheriffs keeping reasons for suspensions, revocations secret
Posted on 08/15/2006 9:25:51 AM PDT by neverdem
Sheriffs keeping reasons for suspensions, revocations secret
Two years after Ohio sheriffs began issuing licenses allowing residents to carry concealed guns, few of those licenses have been suspended or revoked.
Supporters of the law say the statistics prove that the training and screening required for applicants are preventing licenses from being issued to those likely to commit crimes or misuse the weapon.
Others say the statistics don’t reveal enough, because the law forbids the release of information about whose licenses were pulled and why.
"Those with the concealed-carry licenses have been good, law-abiding citizens," said Robert Cornwell, executive director of the Buckeye State Sheriffs’ Association. "The worst-case scenarios that were put out there about the gunfight at the OK Corral didn’t come to fruition."
Of the 73,530 licenses issued from April 2004 through the first quarter of this year, sheriffs’ offices reported 391 suspensions and 217 revocations. That means roughly one of every 121 licenses was suspended or revoked.
More than half of the 100 revocations issued statewide this year came from the Cuyahoga County sheriff’s office after accusations that dozens of license-holders were trained by a weapons instructor who didn’t provide the training required by state law.
The instructor has been charged with 46 felony counts of forgery and 23 felony counts of tampering with records.
But the reasons for other suspensions and revocations are largely a mystery. The concealcarry law Ohio legislators enacted keeps private most of the information about license-holders.
"I look at the stats and it doesn’t tell me a lot, because it doesn’t tell why they were suspended," said Toby Hoover, executive director of the Ohio Coalition Against Gun Violence.
The law requires sheriffs, whose offices issue the licenses, to suspend the license of anyone arrested or charged with certain crimes, including any felony, drug offense or domestic-violence offense. A court-issued protection order against the license-holder also results in suspension.
The license is to be revoked if the holder is convicted of a disqualifying crime or moves out of the state. There also are prohibitions on those judged mentally incompetent or drug or alcohol dependent.
The law restricts the release of information about the licenses to journalists, whose access is limited to the names, birth dates and county of residence for license-holders. News organizations have argued that information on the licenses should be open to the public.
Sheriffs’ offices in Franklin and Cuyahoga counties cited state law last month in denying a Dispatch request for copies of notification letters the offices have mailed to those whose licenses were suspended or revoked.
Supervisors in both offices said they are confident that the system for identifying licenses that must be suspended or revoked is working.
Franklin County has issued 2,957 licenses, suspended 11 and revoked one since the program began. Cuyahoga County has issued 1,906, suspended 16 and revoked 57.
State Rep. James Aslanides, a Republican from Coshocton who was chief sponsor of the legislation allowing Ohioans to carry concealed guns, has opposed the public release of any information about license-holders, saying it endangers them and their families.
"I have argued that records are too open when it comes to those who have the licenses, but whether they are too closed on revocations and suspensions is another argument," he said. "I’d rather have journalists have access to the revocations and suspensions than information about all license-holders."
jfutty@dispatch.com
When you consider that any sort of "domestic violence" (real or alleged) will end your license, and that divorce lawyers routinely advise women to allege domestic violence, I'm thinking that there's hardly any incidence of CCW holders committing real crimes
A Makarov type (PM-64, etc.) in .380 or original Soviet caliber (9x18?) is fairly compact, the weapon is surprisingly well made and you can find them on line for about $200 =/- $50.
I've have an Astra Constable, a CZ-50, a CZ-70, and a Yugo CZ MD 50 (not Czech even tho' it says CZ) and they were all pretty well made, pretty much all in .32 ACP. Almost forgot the little S&W/Walther P22.
I just liked the price and concealability of these weapons. I also have a Sig 230 in .380 and don't have any complaints about any of them. Recoil and concealment aren't big issues for me, I'm 6', 220 lbs.
Caliber is less important if you practice and can hit our aim point. I like to start at 25 yds and crank it in progressively closer until I'm firing from about 3 yds.
I like my 6" ss S@W 7 shot .357, blue 7" Ruger Black Hawk .44 mag and my 1911s too, but in South Florida they're a little hard to hide wearing a t-shirt and cargo shorts, LOL
Now if you want to talk some about long guns.....
I got my mom a .38 just because it was small and had an enclosed hammer (from Taurus) so it could be carried easier in a purse, but for real defense, I'd go for a 10mm, which is what I have.
I wanted to like the Hi-Point. But I have yet to see one that you weren't clearing failure to fire rounds too regularly for my idea of reliability.
I would go with a good, used S&W Model 64 or Ruger SP100 and carry .38+P before I'd go with a low end semi-auto. If you can find one at a good price, I'd go fixed sights, stainless and 3" barrel for concealed carry.
I've been sold on the subsonic 147 gr. JHP rounds. A lot of folks like the lighter, hotter rounds.
I know guys who have seen the elephant in real firefights who carry 9mm every day. They don't feel bad about it.
Rorbaugh-Nice gun, but if I'm gonna spend that much, I would prefer one of the mid line 1911 .45s and spend another 250.00 on a Kel-tec
Wow...Thank you!
It's not a target pistol, but it's accurate enough. I can hold minute of paper plate at 7 yards, and much better closer. Weaighs about half a pound empty, 5" long at the slide, less than 3.5" tall and about 3/4" wide.
Works for me...
BTW it's a Kel-Tec P3AT first Generation. Newer ones have an external extractor but the size is the same. Cost is about $250.00
I am not sure that a 9mm has enough stopping power.
Rorbaugh-Nice gun, but if I'm gonna spend that much, I would prefer one of the mid line 1911 .45s and spend another 250.00 on a Kel-tec.
Try Gangsta style...
Ahh-My dreams of cost no object.
AUGGHHH!!!!-The reality of the ex-wife. She got the gold mine. I live in the shaft. :)
The early HiPoint pistols were not well made. The company has retooled and modified their materials/machining techniques. Their pistols and carbines have become very reliable. I would not buy a used one unless the serial number is checked to determine if they are not from the early years. I have many friends who own the new HiPoint pistols and put over 300 rounds thru them without any jams or stovepipes. After 500 rounds, it is recommended that the weapon be cleaned.
(No more Olmert! No more Kadima! No more Oslo!)
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