Who’s armed? Some of our elected officials
Some officials say law should allow them to carry guns on-the-job.
middletownjournal.com
By Jessica Heffner
Staff Writer
11:08 AM Sunday, August 28, 2011

The number of people choosing to get a concealed-carry permit in Ohio is increasing and among that number are many local politicians. In the wake of deadly shootings across the country, some representatives said they should be allowed to carry guns into meetings.

Out of dozens of elected officials in Hamilton, Fairfield, Middletown, Monroe, Trenton and West Chester Twp. representing school boards, councils, courts, and working at the state and county level, only 12 have concealed-carry permits.

In Ohio, the public is prohibited from viewing concealed-carry permit records unless the information is gathered by a journalist, but even the basis of that access is limited.

The Middletown Journal had to provide a signed request for the sheriff’s approval detailing what information would be accessed and for what purpose. Due to provisions in the law, the names of public officials holding a permit could not be recorded or copied in any way, but rather the database had to be viewed in person and the information gathered committed to memory for this report.

Each one agreed their decision to get the permit was related to safety and a desire to protect themselves either as a citizen, business owner or politician in a potentially volatile situation.

It’s a right and a permit Edgewood School Board Member David Osborne said he wished more people would use because he thought it would make the world in general a safer place.

“I think that it is a deterrent to crime,â€