Ottawa County gun experts mostly happy with concealed carry

For those of you that are not local or just didn't see it, Richard & Terrence Rudes were recently interviewed for the Port Clinton News Herald. Sadly Richard wasn't mentioned but Terry made the front page.

Ottawa County gun experts mostly happy with concealed carry

By James Proffitt

PORT CLINTON --Attorney Terrence Rudes sometimes defends people who commit crimes with guns. Other times, he teaches people how to use and conceal them.

"I've taught concealed-carry classes since 2006," Rudes said. Although he's glad Ohio passed the law that allows citizens to carry guns, he does have issues with it.

"It's the only constitutional right that requires a permit," he said. "It would be like telling someone they have to get a permit to write newspaper articles."

Ottawa County Sheriff Bob Bratton said he had issues about the law when the Ohio legislature passed it in 2004.

"I had concerns at first," Bratton said, "but since then we've had no issues."

According to Bratton, the state's sheriffs, who are responsible for issuing permits, were ill-prepared for the onslaught of paperwork the new law required them to complete.

In 2004, Ottawa County issued 391 permits. Sandusky County issued 187.

But seven years later, Bratton said the process has gone well and he supports the law.

"I've always been big on the second amendment," he said. "I think you should have the right to have guns."

In 2009 Ottawa and Sandusky counties issued 333 and 473 permits, respectively. The counties also renewed a total of 136 permits.

Although many Ohio law enforcement officials made their reservations about Ohioans carrying concealed guns known, most concerns never panned out.

"We've had no problems that I can speak of," Bratton said. "We've never had to go after a card."

Bratton said if a concealed-carry permit holder is arrested for domestic violence or certain other qualifying offenses, they must turn in their permit and weapons.

"They always come in," he said.

In 2009 Ottawa County denied, revoked or suspended a total of 23 permits, and Sandusky County seven.

But retired Ottawa County Common Pleas Court Judge Paul Moon said he thought in 2004 and still thinks it's a terrible idea.

"People shouldn't be carrying around weapons on their person or in their cars," he said.

Moon said during his time on the bench, he didn't have any concealed-carry permit-related cases in his courtroom. Bruce Winters, current common pleas court judge, said he's had just one, and that involved a man who obtained a permit without taking the required 12 hours training.

Dale Ottney, owner of Ottney's Guns in Fremont, said he thinks everyone should carry a weapon.

"A lot of people worry about being broken into and not being able to defend themselves," he said. "And when Obama was elected a whole lot of people came in."

Ottney said many Americans fear that government will curtail second amendment rights.

Both men and women come in, said Ottney.

"A lot of guys come in and buy for their women," he said. "I think I've had three or four couples come in together."

Ottney said 9-mm and .40 caliber are the most popular choices for customers buying guns for concealed carry.

According to Rudes, of the 142 people who have completed his concealed carry courses, 31 were female.

"We get a lot of women that come through," Bratton said. "Not that they're going to carry, but they always have the option."

Since 2004, Ohio sheriff's have issued more than 200,000 concealed-carry permits to its citizens, with more than 56,700 in 2009.

He even managed to have a picture and everything. The original can be found at: http://www.portclintonnewsherald.com/article/20101012/NEWS01/10120305