Dayton Daily News

Concealed weapon permits up 27% in 2020

- By Laura A. Bischoff Contact this reporter at 614-224-1624 or email laura.bischoff@coxinc.com.

As Ohioans hunkered down for the pandemic, many of them renewed or got a new license to carry a hidden weapon.

While Ohioans hunkered down for the coronaviru­s pandemic, 169,232 of them renewed or got a new license to carry a concealed weapon in 2020, according to the annual report released Monday.

That marks a 27.8% increase over 2019. In total, about 700,000 Ohioans hold CCW permits, which allow them to carry weapons hidden in holsters, purses, gloveboxes and elsewhere as they travel through Ohio and 36 other states.

Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost released the annual CCW statistics report, showing 96,892 new permits and 72,340 renewed permits issued in 2020. The number of renewals and new permits in local counties are: Butler, 5,912; Champaign, 1,263; Clark, 1,667; Greene, 6,806; Miami, 2,357; Montgomery, 3,253; and Warren, 3,443.

In January 2004, Republican Bob Taft signed legislatio­n into law legalizing

the CCW program, which includes background checks and training requiremen­ts. Since Ohio’s concealed carry law first took effect in 2004, lawmakers have expanded where permit holders are allowed to carry their hidden

firearms to include bars and restaurant­s, day care centers and college campuses if trustees permit it. Lawmakers also reduced CCW permit training hours from 12 to eight.

CCW permit issues and

renewals have increased in election years since 2016 and trailed off in odd-numbered years, state data show.

Miamisburg City Council will meet at 6 p.m. today in council chambers. The meeting also will be streaming live at www.tinyurl. com/mvccschedu­le.

New business on the agenda for tonight’s meeting includes two ordinances to authorize the city manager to enter into two separate contracts, one with Pepsi Beverages Company to provide sponsorshi­p, advertisem­ent and exclusive sale of non-alcoholic beverages at various city facilities and the other with Redwood Management Systems, LLC for concession­aire services at Sycamore Trails Aquatic Center and Rice Field.

Also on the agenda is an ordinance to certify special assessment­s for the delinquent charges for the cutting and removal of weeds, vegetation and/or grass in the city to the Montgomery County Auditor for the collection thereof.

Council also is scheduled to vote on a motion to support the requested Economic Developmen­t Liquor Permit transfer to Anjani Curry & Grill, 39 Fiesta Lane.

 ?? GREG LYNCH / STAFF ?? Premier Shooting & Training Center General Manager Jim Lentz talks about gun ownership earlier this year.
GREG LYNCH / STAFF Premier Shooting & Training Center General Manager Jim Lentz talks about gun ownership earlier this year.

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