Ohio has become the newest state to see a record number of concealed carry permits issued in 2016, according to WKYC Cleveland.
Last year, 118,000 new concealed carry permits were issued across the state along with 40,000 renewals. In Summit County alone, the number of permits issued doubled to 2,900 in 2016 from the year before. This is the largest increased in concealed carry permits in Ohio since the state began issuing them in 2004.
Summit County Sheriff’s Inspector Bill Holland says that new concealed carriers often have the misconception that a weapon can be carried anywhere, which is not true. Concealed carriers cannot bring their weapons into schools, airports and government buildings.
“You need to make sure you’re operating within the law,” said Holland.
Anne DePhillips, owner of Select Fire Training Center in Berea, said it is the permit holder’s responsibility to know where they can and cannot carry.
“Laws are always changing. It’s not up to them to get a hold of you and let you know. It’s up to you to research it out and make sure that you are up to date on the law,” DePhillips said.