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
What is a good small LIGHT dependable gun for me to carry?
Kahr and Glock make some nice weapons that fit that bill - so does Seecamp. Define "small" - how tall are you, how much do you weigh, and where do you intend to conceal it?
Why would they be?
LOL....
My everyday carry: Beretta .32 `Tomcat', Winchester Silvertips, in a DeSantis pocket holster. Spare mag in an Altoids tin.
Sportcoat or jeans pockets, no `printing'. It never jams. Women like it `cause you can pop the barrel for loading, no need to rack slide. The titanium version is even lighter.
HiPoint C-9, compact 9mm. MSRP $ 140.00. Don't let the low price and ugly looks fool you. Very simple and reliable handgun with 8 round magazine at a very affordable price. Can accept a 10 round magazine that is also compatible with the HiPoint 995 9mm carbine. See www.mkssupply.com for more info.
That sounds good too!
Um, those were serious questions. Your height and weight determines what you can hide.
Of course, if you're going to carry a purse gun, this is all irrelevant.
I've shot a Rohrbaugh. The recoil is surprisingly vicious for a 9mm.
Remember that people need to practice with the arm they carry, and a weapon that's unpleasant to shoot won't be shot for practice much. That precludes the Airweight, and IMHO, just about all the snubby revolvers.
IMHO, I'd say that P3AT would work (though it's on the light side for caliber). Kahr makes the PM9 (9mm minipistol) that's gotten a lot of rave reviews. If you can live with something a hair larger, there's the micro-Glocks.
I totally agree with keeping people's identity concealed, but I would be curious as to the REASONS WHY there were revocations. Failure to renew, accidental discharge...?
My palm almost covers the little Tomcat but it's a good shooter, out to about 20 feet.
If you can carry a slightly larger gun, I'd recommend the CZ P-01. Aluminum frame so it's light, concealable, has a de-cocker, low barrel axis so less recoil than my Browning, slide is inside the frame so less movement, I think, and it is very accurate.
C-9s are as large as a Glock 19, and are heavy for their size class. Their balance is also *really* weird. They're not natural point shooters at all.
Depends on whether you want a revolver or an auto, and what load you can handle. If you want a very light auto that is dependable the S&W .380(that is what it is called, the .380)is very light, very easy to conceal and if used at close range the .380 will take out anyone. This is just one possibility, there are many out there.
Apparently moving out of state also lands you in the "revoked" category...
That said, she decided on her Sig P232 .380 in stainless. She never feels it wearing it in her Bianchi conceled holster.
Many LEOs carry this as their backup.
I've got a Kel Tech 9mm. It's kind of a pos. It has never misfired but it does eject the brass into my forehead, I'm left handed.
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