ASHLAND — Ashland County commissioners tabled a resolution Thursday that would have hired a company in charge of the sheriff’s office’s concealed carry program for another year.
Commissioners initially approved the hiring of Total ID Solutions Inc. with a unanimous vote. They rescinded the action after questions surfaced about how the $1,680 deal would be affected by Ohio’s new rules on carrying a concealed firearm.
Governor Mike DeWine signed a bill into law Monday that would eliminate the need for a permit for people 21 and older to carry a concealed firearm.
Commissioner Denny Bittle said the commissioners need to meet with the sheriff’s office to discuss how to move forward, noting the contract with Total ID Solutions does not have a clause that outlines terms for terminating the deal.
The deal with Total ID Solutions, a supplier of photo ID systems and equipment based in Wickliffe, is set to go into affect April 1 and last through March 31, 2023.
According to the contract, the deal includes the purchase of support tech on an existing ID printer, with an arrangement with the company to send a new one should the old malfunction, for $1,680.
Miriam Dziak, the sheriff office’s CCW program director, said the contract would still be needed for the sheriff’s office.
“Our program will not be eliminated, we just expect new permits to drop dramatically,” she said, adding a CCW permit would still allow holders to carry weapons across state lines.
“There are a lot of truck drivers, for example, traveling for work regularly across state lines. Some people winter in Florida, our permits allow them to carry there as well. So our CCW program definitely isn’t going to go away,” Dziak said.
Senate Bill 215, which is set to go in effect in three months, allows people 21 or older to carry a concealed firearm without a permit if they are legally allowed to own the gun. Restrictions on carrying guns in places like courthouses and schools remain in place.
Previously, state law required people to receive eight hours of training and to obtain a concealed carry permit. A background check was also required.
The new law also eliminates the requirement that people inform a police officer if they are carrying a weapon. Officers can still ask. Lying to the officer about carrying a weapon is a misdemeanor.
There were 6,330 concealed carry permits granted in 2021 in Ashland, according to records provided to Ashland Source. Of those, 3,524 were new licenses and 2,691 were renewals.
A handful of licenses were rejected, suspended or revoked.
