The fight to restore the right to bear arms for self-defense has always been about two key issues:

1) Allowing citizens the right to choose not to be a victim.

2) Lowering violent crime.

Amongst the recent Conference Committee appointment and 'Defense Walk' headlines, Ohio newspapers are filled with stories of continued victimations by criminals who could care less if concealed weapons are illegal, and who are well aware that their victims are unarmed.

Bob Taft recently said his priorities are other things besides the debate over HB12, the concealed carry reform bill. Republican Sen. Carnes says some members of his party's caucus are reluctant to commit to a veto-override, citing "party solidarity."

Click on the "Read More..." link below, and it'll be more than clear that wherever Taft and certain Republicans' priorities are, they are NOT with the defenseless victims and potential victims of our state. As a result, many Ohioans continue to be made victims by criminals who could care less about the fact that concealed weapons are illegal.

"Ohioans already have the right to carry guns and other weapons openly but not concealed. Anyone who believes he is in danger can holster a pistol on his waist or tote a shotgun around wherever he goes." - Columbus Dispatch anti-CCW editorial, June 22, 2001

Now that more and more citizens across the state have chosen to begin doing just that, the silence about 'Defense' Walks from liberal editorial boards like the Columbus Dispatch has been deafening.

But the Walks haven't stopped the few gun control voices left in our state from sounding off.

Ohio Coalition Against Gun Violence founder Toby Hoover once again advocated the practice of open carry on a WBGU Bowling Green panel show last week (and contradicted her own September 28 comment in the Toledo Blade: "Ms. Hoover said she and others don’t want people carrying handguns in plain sight or concealing them.")

Ohio's lone voice for the so-called "Million" Mom March is also advocating open carry over concealed carry in a letter to the editor* which is being circulated throughout the state.