October 9, 2003

ANNAPOLIS, Maryland (Reuters) -- Maryland's first lady was only joking when she said she would like to shoot pop star Britney Spears, but it is no longer a laughing matter.

Kendel Ehrlich, wife of the state's Republican Gov. Robert Ehrlich, was criticizing what she views as the entertainment industry's negative influence on youth, during a domestic violence prevention conference last week in the city of Frederick.

"Really, if I had an opportunity to shoot Britney Spears, I think I would," Ehrlich laughingly told the audience, accusing the 21-year-old Grammy Award-nominated singer of exaggerating the importance of sex for young girls.

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Elyria Chronicle-Telegram
October 10, 2003

LORAIN — Daniel White wants to bring his disdain for the state’s longtime ban on carrying concealed weapons out into the open for everyone to see.

The 29-year-old employee of Willoway Nursery is gathering together gun-rights advocates from around Greater Cleveland for a march through town later this month, and their weapons will be visible.

“We want to do two things: Make sure people are aware that open carrying is legal in Ohio, and to bring attention to the fact that open carry is more visible than carrying a concealed weapon,” White said. “The only question that remains is, do you want them to be open or to be concealed?”

White has been in contact with city and police officials this week, trying to iron out a proper venue for the “self-defense walk,” during which participants will carry their guns in holsters.

Most of the participants in a similar march held last week in Cincinnati were members of Cleveland-based Ohioans for Concealed Carry, White said, but the fledgling organization* isn’t organizing the events.

Chad Baus, spokesperson for Ohioans for Concealed Carry, said walks in Columbus, Lima and Dayton are taking place this weekend.

White said the Lorain event is tentatively set for 1 p.m. Oct. 19, and he would like the march to be centered around either Lakeview Park, the downtown area or both. He said he hoped to have a firm time and place by today and expects just a handful of like-minded individuals to take part.

Wife of soldier in Iraq plans rally, vigil to support troops

North Canton woman invites all to downtown Akron park on Sunday

October 10, 2003
Akron Beacon Journal

Audrey Walker hopes people remember the troops who serve America abroad.

Her husband is serving in Iraq.

And on Sunday, the North Canton woman has organized an event aimed at bringing together people in downtown Akron to support the troops.

A candlelight vigil and a rally of encouragement for those in the military will start at 4 p.m. at the Lock 3 Live pavilion on South Main Street near the Akron Civic Theatre. The event will continue until dusk.

``I figured we needed to do something to bring our families together and to show support and to say `We love you, and we are still thinking about you,' '' said Walker, 41, a commercial account executive.

Sunday's gathering in the new park -- the city is donating the park's services -- is open to everyone, she said.

Click here to read the entire story in the Akron Beacon Journal.

Toledo Blade
October 10, 2003

Supporters of legislation that would allow Ohio citizens to carry concealed weapons said they hope three "defense" walks planned for Sunday in the Lima, Columbus, and Dayton areas will bolster their efforts.

Charlie Triplett of Bluffton said he expects about 100 gun-carrying marchers to participate in Lima’s march, beginning at 2 p.m. in the AutoZone parking lot on Cable Road, just south of State Rt. 309.

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Lorain Morning-Journal
October 10, 2003

LORAIN -- Police were advised by the city's law department yesterday that a Lorain man is within his constitutional rights to organize a self-defense walk later this month at which participants will openly carry loaded firearms, Law Director Mark Provenza said.

Provenza said he met with police Chief Cel Rivera yesterday morning to discuss letters written to the chief by Daniel J. White, who was requesting permission for the walk and directions on how to best carry it out.

White wanted to make sure he would not be violating any city ordinances by conducting the walk, according to the letters.

''This is not going to be a parade or demonstration or anything like that,'' White wrote in an Oct. 6 letter. ''It will simply be a small group of people visiting Lorain while highlighting the fact that current Ohio law allows citizens to carry firearms openly for self-defense purposes.''

Provenza said he told Rivera there is nothing in the Ohio Revised Code or on Lorain's law books that would subject participants in the walk to ''arrest or prosecution'' as long as the weapons were not concealed and the carriers were legally allowed to have a firearm.

White, 29, who works in the inventory department for a local nursery, said he is planning the walk for Oct. 19 and expects between 50 and 75 others -- many who will carry loaded weapons -- to accompany him.

White said there are two reasons for the walk.

''One, is to educate everyone that open carry is allowed in Ohio. A lot of people don't realize that,'' he said.