by Marci Piltz
Record-Courier Reporter
Four years have passed since the first applicants obtained licenses to carry concealed handguns in Ohio.
Those license holders must now renew their licenses in order to keep them active.
Portage County Sheriff Duane Kaley said the licenses, which were first issued in April 2004, are good for four years from date of issuance.
Anyone wishing to keep their permit active must apply for a renewal, and can do so anytime within 90 days prior to the expiration date listed on the license.
Once the license expires, an additional 30-day grace period is allowed for renewal, Kaley said, but licensees are not allowed to legally carry a concealed weapon until the license is renewed.
The passage of the bill four years ago had some law enforcement officials skeptical of what might happen once the licenses were issued.
Ravenna Police Chief Randy McCoy said at the time he didn't think allowing citizens to walk around armed was a good idea.
On Feb. 22, he admitted the Ravenna police have not had any major issues. However, he said, he still is not a proponent of the act.
"DO I THINK you should be able to protect your home, your family and your property? Heck yeah. I believe in the Constitution and you should have the right to bear arms in your own home," he said.
A major concern McCoy voiced four years ago remains a concern for him today: Not much training is necessary or required to obtain a concealed carry permit.
"In law enforcement, we're constantly training and reviewing policies. A firearm is a deadly weapon, and we train each year in the proper use of it," McCoy said.
"Once you get a concealed carry license, you're in like Flynn until it expires."
Kaley said about 1,550 CCW licenses have been issued in Portage County since April 2004. Of those, he said, only five have been revoked and eight applicants denied after completion of a background check.
For those needing to renew their license -- the expiration date is printed on it -- an application for renewal can be obtained from the Portage County sheriff's office.
The application asks for all addresses lived at since the age of 18 and verification that the CCW pamphlet has been read, a new passport size color photo taken within 30 days of the renewal application, the original or renewed training certificate of competency and a valid photo identification.
Upon successful completion of a background check, a new license will be issued with the original license number with a new expiration date that is five years from the date of the renewal.
DURING THE renewal process, the current license will remain valid but must be surrendered to the sheriff's office upon issuance of the renewed license.
The original training certificate of competency is valid for license renewal purposes if the issue date is less than 6 years prior to the renewal application date.
If the original certificate is older than 6 years, then a renewed certificate of competency must be obtained with an issue date prior to the expiration of the original certificate.
If more than 6 years have elapsed since the original certificate issue date, then the entire 12 hour CCW course must be completed, with a new certificate issued, before a new CCW license can be applied for.
Kaley said applications for CCW license renewals can be picked up at the sheriff's office or by visiting the sheriff's Web site at www.co.portage.oh.us/sheriff.
A $55 money order must accompany a renewal application. Applications will be processed between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
While appointments are not required they are suggested to limit wait time. Appointments can be made by calling 330-678-7012.
E-mail: mpiltz@recordpub.com
Telephone: 330-296-9657