November 1, 2003

The long-running debate on whether Ohio citizens should be able to carry concealed guns will take center stage this weekend in downtown Findlay.

At 2 p.m. Sunday, supporters of pending concealed carry legislation will march down Main Street -- many with firearms openly displayed.

The "Defense Walk" route will be from the Main Street bridge to Lincoln Street and back.

Findlay's Steve Gunhouse, a concealed carry supporter who is organizing the walk, said he expects at least 120 people to participate in the silent protest of the state's gun laws.

Chad Baus, a spokesman for Ohioans for Concealed Carry, said walks like the one in Findlay have been held in cities around the state, including Lima, since the Ohio Supreme Court ruled recently that all citizens have an "individual right to self defense."

But the high court also found the state's prohibition against carrying a concealed weapon is constitutional, and that people can exercise their right to defend themselves through "open carry," which is the only legal way for most Ohioans to carry a firearm. Currently, only licensed peace officers can carry a concealed weapon.

"The idea (behind the walks) is to point out the absurdity of the gun laws," Baus said. "On one hand they (the court) say the ban (on carrying concealed weapons) allows us to maintain an orderly society. At the same time, the law allows anyone, without any background checks or training whatsoever, to walk down the street with a firearm in plain view.

"It's not a question of guns or no guns, but open carry or concealed carry."

Click here to read entire the story in the Findlay Courier.

Click on the "Read More..." link below for post-Walk coverage from Findlay.

Youngstown Police Chief Robert Bush: Arrest them all, let the courts sort it out?

Over 100 people, including Senator and HB12 Conference Committeeman Marc Dann (D) participated in Saturday's open carry 'Defense' Walk in Youngstown, which was extensively covered by area media. One Youngstown citizen told Walk organizer Rick Kaleda, "you sure do throw a fun party." But Youngstown Police Chief Robert E Bush, Jr. was in anything but a festive mood.

In Gahanna and Lima, Cincinnati and Lorain, in Swanton, Xenia and Manchester, law enforcement officials proved they truly are mindful of the "service" part of "protect and serve". 'Defense' Walkers have been met with open arms by law enforcement in every city they've attended to date. That all ended today in Youngstown.

Youngstown police officers were armed with video recorders, taping every move Walkers made. While they explained that was standard procedure at parades, it was clear from comments made by Chief Bush that the Constitution is not his concern.

Bush told two Walkers that if they had not obtained a permit, or if they try to openly carry in Youngstown on their own in the future, he would arrest them.

October 18, 2003
Ironton Tribune

Suddenly, a noise awakens you. Startled from sleep, your mind races at 90 miles per hour as your ears try to decipher the cause of the noise.

Within a split second, you realize your worst fears are fast becoming a reality. Someone is breaking into your house.

Quickly, you call 911 and then you wait.

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

According to the Toledo Blade, about 25 people took time off work on Thursday to join up in downtown Columbus to send President Bush and the Ohio Republican Party a message:

Taxman Taft is a liability for Bush.
No CCW in Ohio in 2003, no vote for Bush in 2004?
Hey Bob, Bush signed CCW in Texas, why won't you?

Sandwiched between groups carrying messages solely supportive or opposing President Bush, these grassroots activists delivered a much more pertinent message of support and concern to the Bush campaign. Organizer Gerard Valentino told reporters from several Columbus television stations, as well as the Toledo Blade, that Bob Taft's actions on issues like concealed carry reform and taxes, which are in direct conflict with President Bush's own record, are completely disillusioning the base of voters President Bush must count on to carry him through next year.

"Bush only carried Ohio by around 200,000 votes in 2000," said Valentino. "Pro-Second Amendment groups like OFCC and the NRA have more total members than that in Ohio. And they're not at all happy with the actions of Bob Taft, or certain Republicans in the Senate, who have expressed unwillingness to override a veto from a governor of their own party."

Valentino said he spent some time during the Taft protest explaining this problem to the leaders in the Franklin County Republican Party. He and these grassroots activists weren't the only ones sending the message. Secretary of State Ken Blackwell was also in attendance at the fundraiser, spreading the word about Bob Taft's liberal policies.

"It is incumbent upon President Bush to make our state's Republicans act like Republicans," Valentino told reporters.