Soldier Almost Denied Permit To Carry Gun in Ohio

"Four years after Ohio began issuing permits to carry concealed handguns, some questions remain: for instance, whether cities can ban the weapons in city parks or if permit-holders' names should be public. But there is an even more basic one, which Army Capt. John Pritchard ran smack into: Ohio will issue the permits only to residents of the state, but what does it mean to be an Ohio resident?

"The answer, apparently, is "It depends."

"Pritchard has an Ohio driver's license, is registered to vote in Ohio, claims his residency at an address in Canal Winchester and, until the state exempted active-duty troops, paid Ohio income tax. With all of this proof, he was able to get an Ohio permit four years ago. With all of the same proof, however, the Franklin County sheriff's office told him he couldn't renew that permit. He wasn't a resident, the office told him.

"Because of military assignments, Pritchard hasn't lived in Ohio since 2003."

Thankfully, cooler heads prevailed and Capt. Pritchard now has his renewed Ohio CCW. But not without jumping through a myriad of hoops that never should have been put in his way in the first place.

Oh, BTW, why did Capt. Pritchard want a concealed handgun license?

"As for why he wanted the permit, Pritchard said, "I want that ultimate option available to defend my wife and my kids." He and his wife have one child and are adopting a second."

'Nuff said.