After reviewing the language of the Substitute bill adopted by the Senate Judiciary Committee (Civil Justice), Ohioans for Concealed Carry made public its decision to OPPOSE this amended language. Our 6:00 a.m., December 5 press release can be reviewed by clicking here.

In this release, OFCC called upon the Senate committee to reverse course, and to pass the bill as passed by the Ohio House. Unfortunately, they did not.

Instead, the bill was amended into an even worse manifestation in committee, and after months of inaction and under a heavy time crunch, the full Senate reluctantly passed this Substitute version 20-11.

Many pro-CCW reformers have contacted us to have express their full support for this decision. Some have inquired as to why, while every single Ohio gun rights group has decided to oppose Sub. HB274, the NRA/ILA's lobbyist John Hohenwarter expresses enthusiasm for, and continues to press for passage of, this amended legislation.

Ohioans for Concealed Carry is in the process of preparing a guide which will explain the reasons for its opposition. For just a few of the highlights, click on the "Read More..." link below.

On December 11, a poll was posted on this website's upper right-hand column, asking for opinion on whether or not Speaker Householder should reconvene the House for a vote on the Senate's drastically amended version HB274. Nearly 250 votes were logged in less than 24 hours, with votes AGAINST the House returning leading by around 75%.

A previous poll, asking whether or not the Senate should amend the bill to meet law enforcement demands, consistently held around 95% against meeting their demands on amendments. Unfortunately, voluminous calls to their offices weighted similarly didn't seem to phase Senators Finan & Jacobson or Governor Taft.

(These and other past OFCC PAC web surveys may be accessed and voted on by clicking here.)

Now that the House has confirmed they will NOT be returning, a new poll has been posted, asking who you believe is more to blame for the failure of the legislature to pass concealed carry reform.

Please vote now!

Last month, we reported that Toledo's ban on so-called "Saturday Night Specials" was about to sunset, to the rabid dismay of the Ohio Coalition of Gun Violence. We made you aware that the OCAGV was calling upon their supporters to urge enforcement of the ban, stating that "we will be expected to prove that the Toledo SNS ordinance is worthwhile and effective."

The Toledo Blade is now reporting that the ban has been anything BUT "worthwhile and effective." In the three years since Toledo City Council banned the sale and possession of cheap and easily concealed handguns, only eight people have been charged - and only two convicted in the course of three years. All but one of those charges were filed in 2000.

Click on the "Read More..." link below for more of the story, and a link to the full Toledo Blade report.

This story in the Dispatch outlines OFCC's key reason for opposing this amended Substitute bill - a highly dangerous "safe storage" poison pill inserted by Senator Jacobson at the demands of Gov. Taft.

"Legislation permitting many Ohioans to carry concealed weapons appears to be within an inch of being enacted -- but it might as well be a mile."

"The main stumbling block involves guns in cars. The House version, adopted March 21, would have allowed loaded weapons to be carried on the front seat of a vehicle. A late amendment in the Senate committee would require that the gun be either in a glove compartment or in a container that is locked, latched or zipped."

"Not good enough, the patrol said."

"'We do not want a loaded firearm accessible to a driver,''' Patrol Capt. John Born said."

"Taft spokesman Jon Allison said: "'If the patrol has a concern about a loaded weapon in a vehicle, then the governor has a concern as well. They've come a long way. We're just not there yet.'''

Click here to read the entire Columbus Dispatch story (subscription site - paid access only), OR
click on the "Read More..." link below for an archived version of the story.

This article in the Xenia Gazette provides a good summary of the restrictions for applicants as specified by the Senate's version of HB274.

It also includes a quote from Senator Steve Austria, who, while acknowledging the bills' imperfection, said that "he feels that the Senate’s version of the legislation includes measures that will make communities safer, such as, keeping guns out of the hands of convicted felons."

Funny- we thought the law already did that. Concealed Carry Reform was supposed to be about allowing law abiding citizens the opportunity to carry a weapon for self-defense.

Click here to read the entire Xenia Gazette story.

The Ohio Senate approved a bill yesterday legalizing concealed weapons for most Ohioans, despite the continued opposition of Gov. Bob Taft.

House leaders said that without a promise from Taft to sign the bill they do not intend to bring lawmakers back for a vote on the bill. That decision [if it remains firm] will kill the bill for now, though the House intends to reintroduce its version after the new session begins in January.

Click on the "Read More..." link below for more of the story, and a link to the entire Plain Dealer report.

What is it about the major media having such blatant misunderstanding on this issue? Or is it something else - like deliberate disinformation, flying in the face of reality represented in 44 other CCW states?

Either way, those who enjoy writing letters to the editor will want to read and respond to this rubbish, printed in the Morning Journal. A comments section is also available at the bottom of the story on the Morning Journal's website.

Here's just a sample to get you started: "The ultraconservative zealots in the legislature can't be bothered with figuring out how to adequately fund public education, but they were breaking their necks trying to put a gun in the shoulder holster of every paranoid on your block."

Click here to read and respond to the entire Morning Journal editorial.

The Ohio Senate approved legislation Tuesday giving Ohioans the right to carry concealed handguns, but it still appears unlikely that a final version of the bill will get to Gov. Bob Taft’s desk before the end of the year.

The Senate vote was 20-11, with two members absent.

House Speaker Larry Householder, R-Glenford, said again Tuesday that the House has no plans to come back to consider the Senate bill, which includes stricter licensing criteria and training requirements than the bill the House passed in March, said Jen Detwiler, Householder’s spokeswoman.

Click on the "Read More..." link below for more of the story, OFCC PAC Commentary, and a link to the full DDN report.

WTAM 1100 began playing this news report on the radio following the passage of amended Sub. HB274 from Senate committee. It is likely that this was played on Clear Channel stations statewide.

You can find that audio clip on the WTAM website or you can click here to access the downloads section for our archived version (35 sec., requires MP3 player).