The following was posted today to a public CCW discussion group by Phillip Shiflett:

"The following post illustrates that although State and 'local' gun control guarantee elderly people carrying arms in self defense face jail, the government can't guarantee their safety."

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Click on the "Read More..." link below for more.

Mayor Jack Ford broke a 6-6 tie to repeal a sunset provision that would have caused Toledo’s handgun ordinance to expire Jan. 27. The vote renewed the ban on cheap and easily concealed handguns.

Mr. Ford said he expects to propose changes to address problems cited since the law passed in 1999, especially complaints that it discriminates against people who claim they need to defend themselves in their homes but cannot handle the large, heavy handguns that tend to meet the legal requirements.

Opponents of the gun ban pointed to the few arrests made by police as evidence that the ordinance was never needed. Police Chief Michael Navarre said eight people have been charged under the law, but only one since 2000.

The council also bid farewell to departing council President Peter Ujvagi (D). The council meeting was the last for Mr. Ujvagi, who intends to resign Dec. 31 to take a seat in the Ohio General Assembly.

Click here to read the entire Toledo Blade story.

National Republicans enjoyed unprecedented success in the Nov. 5 midterm congressional elections, but as President Bush scans the Midwestern political landscape for sitting governors who can help his 2004 re-election bid, Ohio’s Bob Taft is the last man standing.

Mr. Taft easily won re-election, in part on the strength of a big victory in Lucas County that top White House and gubernatorial aides hope will translate into substantial local support for Mr. Bush in two years.

Mr. Taft defeated Democrat Tim Hagan in Lucas County, winning 59 percent of the vote. Four years ago, he won just 37 percent here against Democrat Lee Fisher.

White House political advisers have taken note and have conveyed their interest in Mr. Taft’s performance in Lucas County this fall to local GOP leaders. Compared to four years ago, the governor improved his finish here by 22 percentage points - one of the best Republican turnarounds in an urban county anywhere in the country.

Click here to read the entire Toledo Blade story.

Ohio House Republicans spent almost $6 million to increase their majority to 62-37 for the upcoming legislative session, and on the Senate side, Republicans spent $4.6 million to increase their majority to 22-11.

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.

The Columbus Dispatch printed a story Monday summarizing some of the hotter issues that dominated the post-election session.

Of particular interest were comments regarding the General Assembly's failure to pass concealed carry reform, including but not limited to:

---> A mention of "Taft and his wife, Hope", not being wild about the concealed carry concept. (When did Mrs. Taft get elected to speak to the issue?)

---> Speaker Larry Householder stating that the House is already moving on pro-CCW reform momentum generated this fall, and that he thinks "we're in a position to pass it in February or March.''

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 (and edited to the CCW issue alone) version.

Those anxiously awaiting a high court ruling on the constitutionality of Ohio's ban on carrying concealed weapons may have more waiting, and worrying, to do.

After the successful election of two conservative justices in Election 2002 (thanks in no small part to the efforts of OFCC PAC volunteers), confidence in the possibility of a high court ruling concurrent with the lower courts grew. Some Ohio gun rights groups have gone so far as to call for the cessation of legislative efforts pending a court ruling.

But as OFCC PAC pointed out on November 14, the current 4 to 3 conservative majority is no sure thing in 2003. Justice Deborah Cook, an Akron Republican, is awaiting confirmation to the 6th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals, and her confirmation would raise the opportunity for Gov. Bob Taft to nominate a replacement.

The Columbus Dispatch has published a report on the story. 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.

The Columbus Dispatch has printed a Lee Leonard op-ed piece which points out still more reasons why it was better that the Senate's amended HB274 died without a House vote.

While we don't agree with all of Mr. Leonard's assessments, this piece does highlight the contrast between the strong leadership from Speaker Householder in the House vs. that from Finan/ Jacobson in the Senate. He also focuses the blame on urban lawmakers, an observation supported in the Senate floor vote - several urban Republicans voted against the bill, while several rural Democrats voted for it.

Leonard's summary: "A well-thought-out bill is better than a hasty rewrite done to satisfy a few."

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