The number of people choosing to get a concealed-carry permit in Ohio is increasing and among that number are many local politicians. In the wake of deadly shootings across the country, some representatives said they should be allowed to carry guns into meetings.

Out of dozens of elected officials in Hamilton, Fairfield, Middletown, Monroe, Trenton and West Chester Twp. representing school boards, councils, courts, and working at the state and county level, only 12 have concealed-carry permits.

In Ohio, the public is prohibited from viewing concealed-carry permit records unless the information is gathered by a journalist, but even the basis of that access is limited.

The JournalNews had to provide a signed request for the sheriff’s approval detailing what information would be accessed and for what purpose. Due to provisions in the law, the names of public officials holding a permit could not be recorded or copied in any way, but rather the database had to be viewed in person and the information gathered committed to memory for this report.

Each one agreed their decision to get the permit was related to safety and a desire to protect themselves either as a citizen, business owner or politician in a potentially volatile situation.

It’s a right and a permit Edgewood School Board Member David Osborne said he wished more people would use because he thought it would make the world in general a safer place.

“I think that it is a deterrent to crime,” he said. “If 10 percent of people had a weapon, that would mean if there were 10 people in the bank one would have a gun. That’s a pretty good deterrent.”

The number of people choosing to conceal-carry locally is far from Osborne’s ideal when compared to the population. According to the Ohio Attorney General, 1,166 new permits were issued in Butler County and 1,018 were issued in Warren County in 2010.

About 368,130 people live in Butler County and 212,693 live in Warren, according to the 2010 U.S. Census.

Protecting politicians vs. citizens

High profile shootings such as the Tucson, Ariz., shooting where U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords was critically injured and six people were killed has prompted many public officials to say they’d prefer to carry into meetings because they’re concerned about their safety.

State Rep. Ron Maag, R-Lebanon, not only has his permit, but also teaches concealed-carry classes. As a politician, he said he feels it’s vital for his own protection.

“The reason I carry a gun is because I can’t carry a cop,” Maag said. “Any elected official in the course of their duties should be able to carry a gun if they want it.”

“I’ve gotten calls from people who have a mayor’s court and a judge can carry a gun into court if he wants, but a mayor can’t. Our laws make no sense,” Maag added.

Fairfield City Council has taken the threat to public officials seriously enough to have recently installed a bullet-proof covering on the chamber’s dais. The addition — which cost about $10,000 — was made not long after a gunman opened fire at a school board meeting in Florida in December and Giffords was shot in Arizona, said Mayor Ron D’Epifanio.

“You never know what is going on with the craziness,” he said. “We’ve actually had drills with the police chief.”

D’Epifanio said he’s had a CCW for several years but only began carrying recently when his views on local immigration law enforcement led to him being confronted in a grocery store parking lot. He said he always carries now — except when in chambers since it’s against Ohio law to have a gun in government buildings unless you are in law enforcement.

Even with Ohio Senate Bill 17 allowing concealed-carry permit holders to take their weapon into restaurants, bars and vehicles taking effect this September, D’Epifanio said he feels the law is still too restrictive. The only area he said people should not be allowed to carry is at schools.

“We are losing too many rights that we had people die for,” D’Epifanio said. “With the rampant crime in this country it’s a shame.”

George Lang, a trustee in West Chester Twp., agreed but said he thinks anyone should be allowed to carry into any situation they want so long as they have a permit.

“Our lives are no more precious than a non-elected person and anyone who wants to protect themselves should be able to carry into public buildings,” Lang said.

Public sentiment about allowing politicians to have weapons in meetings was mixed. Several residents said politicians should be allowed to have a gun due to the danger of their jobs while others argued it could be intimidating for anyone wishing to confront representatives on issues.

“If every decision they made was based with thoughts of how it affected other people besides (their) special interest groups or donors they would not need to worry about security,” said Dougie Imfeld of Middletown.

If laws regarding weapons are changed, it should be equally applied, said Middletown resident Jeff Williams.

“If no one else can, then (politicians) shouldn’t be allowed to do so,” he said.

Mike Hoskins of Hamilton said elected officials should “absolutely” be allowed to bring their guns if they have a permit.

“They are more apt to be attacked,” he said.

But having a weapon could potentially make the situation worse, said Bridgett Myers of Hamilton.

“More people will get injured by the politicians trying to shoot back. The weapon will not protect them from someone trying to shoot them. There needs to be more security by local police and/or security teams,” she said.

Be prepared

Being prepared whether you’re a politician or not is why Lang and his wife took the concealed-carry class together and are both licensed. Lang said he carries his Glock 23 everyday.

“Unfortunately most people depend upon law enforcement to protect them. The reality is you can’t expect the police to protect you in the situation of an emergency because of the (time) it takes to respond,” Lang said.

Existing laws are fine as far as Hamilton Councilwoman Kathleen Klink is concerned. She got her CCW though a special Hamilton police department class for women and felt the training “was extraordinary.”

“I needed to feel like I was quite sure and confident I could take care of myself,” she said. “And right now you can’t carry into city hall but I’m OK with that because we have the police chief at our fingertips if we need him.”

New provisions?

Effective Sept. 30, permit holders will be allowed to carry concealed firearms into roughly 17,000 facilities where alcohol is served and consumed, as long as they don’t drink. It also would allow them to have a loaded handgun in a vehicle even if the gun is not secured in a holster or other specified container, as long as the person isn’t violating other legal restrictions.

Middletown Councilman A.J. Smith said he took his permit class not long after turning 21 with his parents and carries two guns — a Ruger P-95 and Glock 30 — because he likes to have both. He said he got his permit after receiving “death threats” following incidents with police and taking a vocal stand on public union rights.

While he appreciates his right to have the guns, he said he believes Ohio’s newest provision goes too far. Since the weapon is concealed, he said there is no way to tell if someone may be carrying and drinking.

“It’s my right as an American to bear arms but I think the new law is absolutely ridiculous,” he said. “Alcohol and guns don’t mix.”

It’s possible laws could be expanded even further in the future, and Maag said he’d be at the front lines of the debate. Ohio Rep. Tim Derickson, R-Hanover Twp., who also has his CCW, said he’d rather not give an opinion on how he’d vote on an expansion of concealed-carry laws but admitted “I could see it forthcoming.”

“I am comfortable with the existing conceal-carry legislation I voted favorable on the bill (because) it is up to the establishment if they want to admit concealed-carry owners,” he said. “I like that.”

Several states allow citizens to carry concealed weapons without a permit: Alaska, Vermont, Arizona, and Wyoming. Meanwhile, the states of Montana, Utah, South Carolina, and New Hampshire are considering bills that could enable people to carry concealed weapons without a permit.

Contact this reporter at (513) 705-2843 or jheffner@coxohio.com.