Concealed carry common sense: Summit County workshops cover do's and don'ts

The 12 men and eight women Thursday night at the Summit County Sheriff's Office training center in Green didn't go there to learn how to shoot a gun.

Most of them already own one, and they were all aware of an Ohio law, signed last March by Gov. Mike DeWine, that dropped the permit requirement for concealed weapons.

They were more interested in how best to comport themselves under the new law when encountering law enforcement or entering a business establishment.

More:When does Ohio's constitutional carry law go into effect?

The Sheriff's Office conducted three workshops this about the law and what to expect from law enforcement officers in relation to the law. All three, including ones in Akron and Northfield, were filled to capacity, organizers said.

Gun sales, interest on the rise

Gun sales and ownership have surged in recent years, with 2020 being the peak year for some measures of interest.

According to FBI and ATF statistics, Ohio firearms sales soared the year COVID-19 arrived and the economy shut down, with 568,469 sales in 2020. That followed sales of 363,942 in 2019, 400,351 in 2018 and 420,214 in 2017.

More:Akron-area police, firearms instructors react to Ohio's new 'constitutional carry' gun law

Nationwide, according to a April 2022 Forbes article, Americans bought about 19.9 million guns in 2021, the second highest total ever. The biggest year ever was 2020, with 22.8 million. Before COVID-19, the biggest year was 2016, with 16.7 million guns purchased.

Sales may have slipped from 2020 highs, but last year's concealed carry legislation, which went into affect June 13, has sparked renewed interest in guns.

Thursday's workshop was one example, with attendees eager to know how the affected them.

"The most important thing for me is that when you leave here tonight… your questions are answered," Sheriff Kandy Fatheree said in opening remarks.

She said her office will continue to offer workshops throughout the year.

"Let's just make sure you know what to do and when to do it," she said.

'What should I say?'

Green resident Lisa Albert said she registered for the workshop because she had questions about the concealed carry law.

"If I were (stopped), what should I say?" she said. "It's good to know the rules."

The changes brought by the law and its effects are still being gauged, said Seema Misra, an assistant prosecutor in the Summit County Prosecutor's Office.

"It's confusing," she said. "It's confusing for us, even as lawyers."

Misra was one of three assistant prosecutors explaining the law, walking participants through the changes and showing examples of the law's impact.

The biggest, as widely reported last year, was the removal of a permit requirement to carry a concealed weapon. Restrictions remain for who is a qualified adult under the law, and some practical benefits of acquiring a permit also remain she said — especially for gun owners who visit other states. Many of them accept Ohio certification, but some don't.

Much of the workshop focus centered on how to respond when stopped by a law enforcement officer. In addition to dropping the permit requirement, last year's law also eliminated a requirement to tell an officer a concealed gun or other weapon is in your vehicle.

Marvin Evans, an assistant prosecutor in the civil division, told attendees that if officers don't ask, it's a good idea to let them know.

"Most police officers are asking the question right off: 'Do you have a gun?' " he said. "There's no reason to wait to tell the officer. Don't make them wait. They're probably going to really appreciate that."

Evans and Brian LoPrinzi, chief prosecutor in the criminal division, said keeping your hands visible to officers is important.

"One of the scariest things officers do is traffic stops," LoPrinzi said.

The basics of firearms safety

Deputy Todd Hart walked attendees through the basic rules of firearms safety.

"The second you relax on those rules," he said, "it's going to come back and bite you."

Amanda Spangler of Tallmadge said she became interested in firearms for protection of herself and family.

"It's more a safety thing for me," she said. "The area we grew up in was a bad part of Akron."

Her daughter, who attended with her, said she had planned to own a gun before she was 21 for protection whether or not the law changed.

"I was getting my CCW either way when I turned 21," she said.

She asked to remain unidentified because she works for a law enforcement agency.

Acquiring a permit remained important to her despite the law's changes, for a couple of reasons.

"I like traveling, so it keeps me safe," she said. "I was in a domestic violence situation. This makes me feel a little bit better."

LoPrinzi advised attendees to use caution and common sense when using a gun for self-protection.

"Especially when carrying a gun or using a gun, you don't want to go up to the line," he said. "You don't want a jury to make that decision."

More:6 reasons why you should subscribe to the Akron Beacon Journal

Leave a message for Alan Ashworth at 330-996-3859 or email him at aashworth@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter at @newsalanbeaconj.

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Summit County workshop covers do's and don'ts of concealed carry