The Ohio Senate Republican leadership, under direction of President Doug White, has once again left Columbus without appointing conferees. They will not return to session until after the 2003 Election, and then are only scheduled for one day in November, and a few tentative days in December.

In another disappointment, Senate President White has informed Tony Gordon Memorial 'Defense' Walk organizer Rick Jones that he will not attend the open carry walk in his hometown of Manchester on Sunday, due to "prior commitments".

There is only one prior commitment his constituents will be interested in on Sunday:

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Last April, Doug White said his chamber will not be looking for guidance from Governor Bob Taft as it begins consideration of a measure (HB 12) authorizing, in most respects, carrying concealed weapons. Rather, he said it will approve the version it deems most appropriate and let Mr. Taft determine whether it should be vetoed.

On the concealed weapons issue, Senator White said he expects the Senate to
deal with the bill expeditiously. "We'll do what we have to do" to get it out of the Senate, he said. "Our focus is not now with the governor." Without identifying the
provisions, Senator White noted that his caucus doesn't need all the language it sought on last session's version of the bill, which died in the Senate.

At present, White's office claims he supports final passage of HB12, but that there is no need to appoint conferees to a committee until a consensus is reached. Funny, we thought that was the point of a conference committee - to negotiate a consensus.

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

The following note has been posted to the GlockTalk.com discussion list. The writer experienced the following in Northeast Ohio:

Took the dog for a walk again today [while openly carrying a loaded firearm, per Supreme Court ruling & current Ohio law]. Was about 150 ft. from the end of the walk at the car lot next to my parents house when a police car with lights on pulls up in front of me. I knew instantly what it was about.

As I approached, he asked why I had a gun. I said because I can open carry
in Ohio. He said no, that it wasn't legal in Ohio. I insisted that it was and referenced Klein vs. Leis and that the Supreme Court ruled I can. He asked to take possession of the weapon and I allowed him to so he would relax.

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

Ohio's Troubles with Liberal Republicans Brings National Attention to Concealed Carry Issue

On Tuesday, guest host Tom Sullivan, of Sacramento, latched on to a Wall Street Journal editorial about the burgeoning sales tax revolt in Ohio, and raised the larger subject of liberal Republican politics in Ohio, drawing a parallel to the plight of Californians under former Governor Gray Davis.

OFCC's Chad Baus called in to give Sullivan the whole scoop on Taft and the General Assembly, and worked in the concealed carry fight.

Click here to download a Windows Media file of the 5 1/2 minute conversation.

Related Story:
Ohio 'Defense' Walk news goes national