Early reports from Columbus are that we had the second-highest 'Defense' Walk attendance to date, as over 120 OFCC supporters openly carried their firearms around the State Capitol today (plus probably 10-15 children who were, of course, not armed).

Political insiders know it is hard to get conservatives to hold any type of rally. And this was a very unique rally. Why?

Today's 'Defense' Walk was in the middle of the week, in the middle of the day, and in the middle of the state. To top it all off, we asked supporters to show up carrying a firearm.
Having more than 120 people show up at an event like this is nothing short of success!

"Even the reporters were amazed we got that many people out there on a weekday," said Gerard Valentino, OFCC's Central Ohio Coordinator. "I used it as an example of how strongly Ohioans believe in this
issue."

Numerous personalities from the news media showed up, including Columbus
television channels 6 and 10, AM 610 WTVN and Ohio Public Radio, the Associated Press Columbus Dispatch and the Dayton Daily News, to name a few.

To those Ohio patriots who walked their talk at this event: thank you very much for showing up!

"Everything went off without a hitch," said Valentino. "As has been the case in other Walks, several cars honked and gave us a thumbs up as they drove by."

"The Columbus Police were not only helpful," observed Valentino, "but a 31 year veteran commented we were the best-behaved 'protest' group he's ever seen."

But the REAL story on how law-abiding CCW licenseholders are is being told in Michigan

Two weeks ago, OFCC learned that Gov. Taft had been trying to influence conference committee members to change provisions agreed upon by BOTH House and Senate - specifically the issues regarding protecting the privacy of Ohioans who apply for, and are granted or denied, CCW licenses.

Taft should know better than that.

According the legislative rules, the committee's scope is to focus only on the points of disagreement between the two chambers. 66 House Representatives and 22 Senators voted for the current language regarding protecting the privacy of applicants.

Taft may have realized he hit a dead-end in asking the committee to break the rules, but his willing media accomplices seem more than willing to carry the torch.

On Sunday, November 9, the Columbus Dispatch published a Taft-inspired op-ed entitled "Open Government - Courts get it right, but concealed-carry bill is a step backward ".

Reports of extensive media coverage of today's Statehouse 'Defense' Walk are coming in from supporters in the Columbus area. Following is a compilation of those reports, with a link where available:

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