Cleveland Co. Sheriff's Office Sees Sharp Rise In SDA Applications

Authorities in Cleveland County are making changes to their Self Defense Act (SDA) licensing services in order to keep up with an increase in demand, a spokesperson said.

“It was crazy, nonstop,” Meghan Jackson with the sheriff’s office said about Jan. 13.

Dozens of people filed through the doors and crammed into the little lobby that day to get their applications processed and have fingerprints taken. News 9 is told officials served a total of 75 people in a two-hour period.

“That day we set a record. After looking over that day, I believe the next day we processed 45,” she said.

On a normal day, they’d serve about 25 people. And Jackson said it hasn't slowed down since. The amount of people in the lobby for those licenses is now double what they've seen in the last six months.

So they said they have to make a change to keep up. Instead of opening for only four hours a week, they'll be open for seven. And they're moving this process over to the jail, where they'll have way more space in the lobby.

Jackson said you'll need to fill out your application ahead of time, bring two passport photos and a $25 cashier's check or money order. And either $100 (for a five-year license) or $200 (for a ten-year license) for the OSBI fee.

The new location for the Self Defense Act license processing will be on Wednesdays 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Cleveland County Jail on Franklin Road beginning Feb. 3.

Oklahoma County Sheriff’s officials said overall there isn't a major increase to report. Although they do see short spikes after certain pieces of legislation are put into place.