By Dan Klepal
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Law enforcement officials had more questions than answers Friday about Ohio's new law permitting people to carry concealed weapons.

The law takes effect April 7 and requires the state's 88 sheriffs to process applications for permits to carry handguns within 45 days.

CONCEALED CARRY RULES

• Ohio residents would have to do the following to get licenses to carry concealed handguns: • Complete a 12-hour gun safety course. • Pass criminal and competency background checks. • Be at least 21 years old. • Pay a fee. • Renew their licenses every four years. Restrictions Ohioans with licenses to carry concealed firearms would not be able to carry them into the following places: • Any government buildings. • Schools, school safety zones and universities • Buildings with liquor permits. • Places of worship • Day-care centers and homes • Any business, workplace or private property that posts a ban on concealed weapons. • Any place where handguns are prohibited under federal law. Source: Ohio Legislative Service Commission.

Clermont County Sheriff A.J. "Tim" Rodenberg Jr. spent most of Friday studying the new law. He said there is a lot to worry about.

"There are a lot of little twists and turns in there that can really trip people up," Rodenberg said. "And not just citizens - governmental agencies, too. The first few months are going to be real interesting. We're going to have our hands full, and we're going to have to circle the wagons and be ready for it."

The Ohio Attorney General's Office has its hands full, too. It must create a database in the next 90 days listing everyone found mentally incompetent by an Ohio court.

In addition, the attorney general has to produce brochures explaining the new law and the permit application forms - both of which will go before the Ohio Peace Officer's Training Commission for approval.

"Nothing like the database exists right now,' said Bob Beasley, spokesman for the Attorney General's Office. "We're working on it. The bill was signed yesterday, so we have 90 days."

Among the questions sheriffs were asking Friday:

• How will the $45 permit application fee be split, and will more state money be coming to cover the expense of processing the paperwork and performing the background checks?

• Can they refuse a permit if the person meets the criteria?

• People have to complete a "certified" firearms training course, but nothing in the law defines what a certified program is. Will there be a master list of certified programs across the state?

• Will training programs teach Ohio firearms law and self-defense law?

Butler County Sheriff's spokesman Monte Mayer said his office is waiting for answers.

"We are awaiting some direction on the law from the Buckeye State Sheriffs Association to determine exactly what steps we have to take," Mayer said. "The nuts and bolts have yet to be worked out. The next 30 to 60 days, we'll learn more about what needs to be done.

And the foremost question: How many people will apply for a permit?

"Who knows?" Mayer said.

The law allows people to apply for a permit in adjacent counties, which could mean that people trying to avoid what could be long lines in Hamilton County may file their applications in Clermont County.

"I think we'll be talking about thousands of people, not hundreds," Rodenberg said. "It's kind of like waiting for something to hit you in the head, but you don't know what it is. You can guess all you want to, but until (it happens), you're not going to have any way to know."

In Hamilton County, sheriff's spokesman Steve Barnett sent out an advisory asking that the public not call because there are too many unresolved issues.

Chuck Klein, a 61-year-old downtown resident who was part of the lawsuit that helped force passage of the law, has mixed feelings about the law.

"The number of places that we are restricted from carrying guns creates impossible scenarios," Klein said. "You can't carry one into a school safety zone. Now what is a parent supposed to do with the gun when he gets to the school? Lock it in the trunk before he gets to the school? That doesn't make any sense at all.

"I don't think putting a gun in a car is a good idea under any conditions."

E-mail dklepal@enquirer.com