Why concealed handguns don't result in blood running in the streets

[Geezah]

The last state mandated report from the Ohio attorney general showed nearly 143,000 concealed handgun licenses had been issued in the Buckeye State since the program's inception in 2004. Considering the substantial increase for 2008 over the previous year, it is safe to assume that the number is over 150,000 by now.

When concealed carry was being considered, those opposed to such licensing claimed that it would lead to shootouts over soccer matches and fender benders, that CCW holders would be dropping their guns at the mall leading to accidental discharges, that cops would be killed during routine traffic stops and that violence in Ohio would skyrocket. Five years later, that still hasn't happened. So why haven't more guns led to more violence?

It starts at the beginning of the licensing process. Ohio doesn't hand out a concealed handgun license (CHL) to anyone who just wanders into a sheriff's office. First, you have to be over the age of 21 and attend 12 hours of training in firearms safety (taught by a certified instructor), 2 of which are live fire range time. At the end of the course, a written test on gun safety must be passed. You then fill out a lengthy application, obtain a recent color photograph, and take it to the sheriff of your county or an adjacent county along with a $55 application fee ($79 if you've been a resident of Ohio for less than 5 years). In order to run a background check, the sheriff will take your fingerprints at that time.

You then wait up to 45 days while a criminal history and mental competency background check is run. There are many disqualifiers, including being adjudicated as a mental defective, being under indictment or convicted of a felony, misdemeanor charge of violence, negligent assault, any drug conviction, any offense of assault on a police officer, and more. Depending on the severity of the offense, some disqualify you for five years, others ten years, others are lifetime disqualifications.

After jumping through all the hoops and passing all the tests and checks, you are issued a CHL which is valid for five years. After the five years, you must get the license renewed, which requires another background check and range recertification after your first renewal.

The fact of the matter is that people who can go through this entire process successfully are the kinds of people who don't commit crimes in the first place. Most crimes are committed by repeat offenders, and you can't get a CHL if you have an extensive criminal history. Not to mention the fact that criminals, by definition, break laws. If hey have no qualms about robbing, raping, and murdering, why would they be concerned about carrying a concealed firearm without a license?

The responsible people who obtain a concealed handgun license are careful not to lose that privilege (only open carry is a right under current Ohio law). They don't violate prohibitions on where their firearm may be carried (and there are a lot) and they're not the kind of people in the first place who are inclined to escalate disputes into violence. If they were, they'd have a disqualifying background since rarely do violent tendencies just suddenly appear.

CHL holders are among the most law abiding subsets of society and it is for this reason that the concealed carry program has been and will continue to be safe and successful.


Link (http://www.examiner.com/x-2206-Cleveland-Gun-Rights-Examiner~y2009m5d26-Why-concealed-handguns-dont-result-in-blood-running-in-the-streets)

Here is a link to the report mentioned at the beginning of the article. Link (http://ag.state.oh.us/le/prevention/concealcarry/docs/08_cc_annual_rpt.pdf)

[Panchito12]

My Springfield XD Sub-Compact 3" (9mm) does not like concealment. I gotta take her to the range regularly for some fresh air.

[deagle]

but they have to pass all the pre-requisite requirements *BEFORE* being able to even purchase a firearm right ? thats the best course.

[Lazuris]

but they have to pass all the pre-requisite requirements *BEFORE* being able to even purchase a firearm right ? thats the best course.

All gun sales in the US require an instant background check which checks for prior criminal convictions. The level of detail that a CCW/CHL requires is over and ontop of the background check. CCW/CHL background check is on par with federal background checks that certain federal employees must have. Needless to say you have to have a spotless record to recieve a CHL/CCW

[ARGAR FORKBEARD]

why carry a weapon at all??
Is it because of the right to bear arms? or is it in case of trouble/self defence???
its a totally alien concept to me being from the uk, where as you may or may not know all handguns are prohibited. thanx in advance for any info.

[Bro Jangles]

why carry a weapon at all??
Is it because of the right to bear arms? or is it in case of trouble/self defence???

actually both. one reason helps the other.

[Abolith]

out here in the Republic of Commiefornia it's about impossible to get a CCW... :(

[Geezah]

why carry a weapon at all??
Is it because of the right to bear arms? or is it in case of trouble/self defence???
its a totally alien concept to me being from the uk, where as you may or may not know all handguns are prohibited. thanx in advance for any info.

Trust me, I used to think the same way when I moved here from the UK in 96. It wasn't until 2002 that I purchased my first firearm and then I pursued CCW when it came into law here in 04/05.

It's not actually that alien anymore because I've managed to unlearn all the bad crap you digest in the UK.

To answer your question, I carry because I can, I will not rely on others to look after me and I will never expect LE to be at my beck and call 24/7.

[oldspice]

...I carry because I can...

Ditto! A very nice article. Thank you for posting :)

[Panchito12]

why carry a weapon at all??
Is it because of the right to bear arms? or is it in case of trouble/self defence???
its a totally alien concept to me being from the uk, where as you may or may not know all handguns are prohibited. thanx in advance for any info.

Everytime I read The Sun, UK's finest newspaperp-), all I see is articles about kids going crazy and stabbing people.

[PeterRJG]

Everytime I read The Sun, UK's finest newspaperp-), all I see is articles about kids going crazy and stabbing people.

Read The Daily Mail instead and all you'll see is how the dirty filthy Muslim/Polish/Gypsy/Moldovan/Albanian foreign scum is going crazy and stabbing people.

UK newspapers are the bastion of partisan reporting.

[FullMetalJackass]

out here in the Republic of Commiefornia it's about impossible to get a CCW... :(


I reckon you all need to work on getting some politicans that see things differently. Yes, I know it is virtually impossible for you folks behind enemy lines.

[Abolith]

I reckon you all need to work on getting some politicans that see things differently. Yes, I know it is virtually impossible for you folks behind enemy lines.



Pffft, with the district lines drawn the way they are we damn near CAN'T change who is in office. They are drawn to almost guarantee one party is always voted in.

[seraosha]

Pffft, with the district lines drawn the way they are we damn near CAN'T change who is in office. They are drawn to almost guarantee one party is always voted in.

Move.
Once you stop drinking the koolaid it's a much better view.

[Abolith]

Move.
Once you stop drinking the koolaid it's a much better view.

LoL I can't move just yet, but the plan is to move to Washington in the next two years, but I have no idea how restrictive the laws are up there... course they can't be any worse then they are here.

[Bro Jangles]

LoL I can't move just yet, but the plan is to move to Washington in the next two years, but I have no idea how restrictive the laws are up there... course they can't be any worse then they are here.
we got it pretty good.

no class required for CPL
No SBRs, Suppressors*, FA
AOWs ok
NO AW or Mag limits

*Suppressors can be owned, but using them is a misdemeanor .

[BlackFlag]

we got it pretty good.

no class required for CPL
No SBRs, Suppressors*, FA
AOWs ok
NO AW or Mag limits

*Suppressors can be owned, but using them is a misdemeanor .

Don't you love laws the make absolutely no f*cking sense?

[Bro Jangles]

Don't you love laws the make absolutely no f*cking sense?
Oh yeah. you got to drive to Oregon or Idaho. ****ing gay.

[gaijinsamurai]

Good article, Geeze! Thanks.

[seraosha]

So where are the "usual suspects"? They seem to be pretty quiet on this topic...I thought it would be more akin to moths and flames.

[Rogue_Kop]

Some people in Michigan are using open carry as a way to get around the CPL. Most of them are Lawyers who carry cited laws with them and take video of incidents with the police...

[Geezah]

Some people in Michigan are using open carry as a way to get around the CPL. Most of them are Lawyers who carry cited laws with them and take video of incidents with the police...
Makes me think of the one lawyer getting shot at by a disgruntled customer(if I recall) and the whole thing was caught on tape.
The lawyer was unarmed though........

[MaverickCowboy]

way....way to quiet...

[deagle]

how come people aren't required to undergo and pass a firearms safety class before being able to acquire a firearm ? we take written/road tests before being issued drivers license.


it can weed out straw purchasers.

[RxOnco]

how come people aren't required to undergo and pass a firearms safety class before being able to acquire a firearm ? we take written/road tests before being issued drivers license.


it can weed out straw purchasers.

“A well regulated militia being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the People to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed.”

-2nd Amendment, U.S. Constitution

[Abolith]

we got it pretty good.

no class required for CPL
No SBRs, Suppressors*, FA
AOWs ok
NO AW or Mag limits

*Suppressors can be owned, but using them is a misdemeanor .

Hmmmm Me thinks my plans might need to move up by a year.... or more. Almost all of my family is already up in the seattle area, not sure why I stick around here... maybe I HAVE been drinking too much of the Coolaid...

[MaverickCowboy]

how come people aren't required to undergo and pass a firearms safety class before being able to acquire a firearm ? we take written/road tests before being issued drivers license.


it can weed out straw purchasers.

because driving is a privilege.

[martinexsquaddie]

how come people aren't required to undergo and pass a firearms safety class before being able to acquire a firearm ? we take written/road tests before being issued drivers license.


it can weed out straw purchasers.

seems a good idea in theory in practice who sets the standards?
level of military training
level of police training
level of SAS/omgdelta training?
set it high enough and you have a defacto ban on ccw.

wouldn't want to carry in the uk Would like the right to carry but wouldn't carry.
minuscule level of threat don't do stupid things or go to stupid places.

[4X4Driver]

All gun sales in the US require an instant background check which checks for prior criminal convictions.


True..but how about the private sales..my friend in AZ told me that one does not need to go through authorities when dealing private. He calls the state of AZ most gunfriendly state b/o this. Is there amy truth in what he's saying? just curious.

TIA.

[MaverickCowboy]

True..but how about the private sales..my friend in AZ told me that one does not need to go through authorities when dealing private. He calls the state of AZ most gunfriendly state b/o this. Is there amy truth in what he's saying? just curious.

TIA.

Some states require you to go to an FFL dealer. most states don't between private sales. although if you knowingly sell to a person who cannot legally own a firearm , for example a felon/crminal you're in deep feces.

wanna talk about gun friendly? nothing beats Montana.

[4X4Driver]

Some states require you to go to an FFL dealer. most states don't between private sales. although if you knowingly sell to a person who cannot legally own a firearm , for example a felon/crminal you're in deep feces.

wanna talk about gun friendly? nothing beats Montana.

thanks for the info man..

[MaverickCowboy]

thanks for the info man..

no problem. do you have a problem with that?

[4X4Driver]

no problem. do you have a problem with that?

Nope..I have a few guns/rifle myself..so no problem there :)

[yetibit]

how come people aren't required to undergo and pass a firearms safety class before being able to acquire a firearm ? we take written/road tests before being issued drivers license.


it can weed out straw purchasers.

Dude...are you a gun control lobbyist or something? I just read this same comment from you in 3 different threads....LOL

[deadtired]

Dude...are you a gun control lobbyist or something? I just read this same comment from you in 3 different threads....LOL

I really like the way this blogger (http://thelawdogfiles.blogspot.com/2007/04/we-license-cars-yackyackyack.html) handles the whole "license guns like cars" arguement.

[commanding]

Link (http://www.examiner.com/x-2206-Cleveland-Gun-Rights-Examiner~y2009m5d26-Why-concealed-handguns-dont-result-in-blood-running-in-the-streets)

Here is a link to the report mentioned at the beginning of the article. Link (http://ag.state.oh.us/le/prevention/concealcarry/docs/08_cc_annual_rpt.pdf)

great article. Texas is similar. I forget how long Texas has had the concealed carry law. I know Bush was gov. when it started. When the program first started in texas, the cost for a permit was about 140 bucks for 4 years, and half that for two...they gave every other person a two year permit and every other one a four year permit....yeah I lost that lottery too, got a two year permit and had to redo the classroom and shooting deal (you pay for the test by the licensed instructor on top of the state license fee you know)....
but by now, the Texas CHL license is for 6 years I believe.
Besides all the classroom, range qualification, fees to instructor and to the state, you have to have a photo taken each time, fingerprints taken each time by a police agency, and they are submitted to the FBI and other law enforcement agencies for clearance. so yeah...the CHL holders are the cleanest of the clean.
The fellow from the UK asked why would one want to carry a chl here? first because we believe in LIBERTY as the founding principle of our society. Second, have your 70 year old parents ever had a knife touching their belly as they walked from the bank to their car and robbed? Happened to my parents in broad daylight, at a nice bank. Robbed them of a good amount of money, and could easily have killed them. The knife was touching their belly. They did not have a CHL (some years ago).

[yetibit]

I really like the way this blogger (http://thelawdogfiles.blogspot.com/2007/04/we-license-cars-yackyackyack.html) handles the whole "license guns like cars" arguement.

Two thumbs up...thanks for the link