In his own way, Barack Obama is an excellent gun salesman.

That’s what Robin Salvo said in so many words when asked why the number of people who came to Delaware County to get concealed carry weapons (CCW) permits nearly doubled last year.

According to data released earlier this month by the Ohio Attorney General’s Office, 1,112 CCW permits were issued in Delaware County last year. That compares to 571 the year before.

Salvo works at Black Wing Shooting Center in Scioto Township as a firearms instructor and said Obama’s first year in the presidential office was “definitely a factor” in the increased interest in guns.

“People were afraid they weren’t going to be able to have their guns for whatever reason,” Salvo said, referencing the perception that Obama and his fellow Democrats in Congress would initiate more gun-control legislation.

“They were afraid of what would happen to our rights,” said Salvo, who considers herself a passionate gun rights activist.

Salvo said some people have also told her they were concerned crime was going up as the economy faltered, and they wanted to be able to better protect themselves and their families.

Some neighboring counties saw spikes similar to what Delaware County experienced. Morrow County saw the biggest percentage jump, more than doubling from 100 new CCW permits issued to 213 last year. Franklin County issued 1,380 new permits in 2009, leading the pack in terms of sheer numbers. Marion County broke rank, actually decreasing from 225 to 209 last year.

Statewide, 56,691 new CCW licenses were issued in all, a record since Ohio’s concealed carry law went into effect in 2004. In 2008, 33,864 Ohio law enforcement agencies issued 33,864 permits.

The Delaware County Sheriff’s Office now has three employees trained to issue CCW permits, compared to one in 2008. Sheriff Walter L. Davis III said he cross-trained additional staff to handle the permits, but not necessarily as a direct response to the increased volume. However, the sheriff’s office no longer accept walk-ins for those seeking the permits.

“It really got to be overwhelming, so we went to a more structured system where they need to make an appointment,” Davis said.

To get a CCW permit, residents 21 and older need to bring a completed application, a two by two inch photo, a photo ID and a certificate from a certified instructor showing they have completed 12 hours of firearms training to their appointment at the sheriff’s office. A first-time license costs $67 for people who have lived in Ohio for more than five years.

Davis said his staff doesn’t ask people why they are getting CCW permits and said he didn’t want to speculate on why the jump occurred.

Davis said getting a license typically takes up to two weeks at the longest, assuming the person passes the necessary background check.

“If we do have someone with a concealed carry, they are a law-abiding citizen,” Davis said.

Meanwhile at Black Wing, Salvo said more and more people are signing up for concealed-carry classes. Most are gun novices, she said. Black Wing is selling more guns, too.

“In 2008, we would have to cancel classes because not enough people would sign up,” she said. Now, there is a waiting list and CCW courses are full up until mid-April, she said.

atobias@delgazette.com