FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 18, 2003

Concealed-Carry Advocates Announce Historic Civil-Defense Rights Coalition

Coalition Endorses House-passed Version of House Bill 12 as Best Approach to Stem Ohio’s spiraling violent crime epidemic

New FBI Crime Reports Prove Michigan’s CCW Law Working

COLUMBUS, November 18 · Ohioans For Concealed Carry has announced the formation of what is possibly the largest civil-defense rights coalition in state history. Advocates of a legalized method of bearing arms for self-defense in Ohio have joined together to call upon Governor Taft, the Ohio General Assembly and Ohio Republican party to finish the job and make Ohio House Bill 12 law.

Representing one quarter of a million Ohioans, the Civil-Defense Rights Coalition is comprised of five Second Amendment-related groups, including the National Rifle Association, the Ohio Rifle & Pistol Association and the Second Amendment Sisters; the Buckeye State Sheriff’s Association (representing Ohio’s highest-ranking law enforcement officials); more than 50 Ohio businesses; and the Ohio Young Republicans .

Bob Taft and the Ohio State Highway Patrol bureaucracy worked to poison House Bill 12 with a lockbox, or "carjacker protection" provision that would, at the very least, allow this type of crime to continue undeterred, and that would more likely, encourage many more to be perpetrated.

Man takes van with 2 aboard, is quickly corralled by police
Toledo Blade
November 16, 2003

A man who seems to have a flair for drama when stealing vehicles has done it again - this time taking a minivan containing a 75-year-old woman and her 2-year-old grandson, Toledo police said.

The man, who took the minivan from the parking lot of a North Toledo store, nearly hit a store employee who tried to stop him.

The man was arrested minutes later a few blocks away. The woman and child were not hurt, police said.

In the past, the man has stolen his own grandmother’s car, a Wood County deputy’s patrol car while handcuffed, and a car from a service station. In that instance, when he couldn’t get the garage door open, he drove through it.

For yesterday’s incident, Nash Laraby, 28, of Rossway Avenue, Rossford, was charged with abduction and aggravated theft. He was being held in the Lucas County jail.

Click on the "Read More..." link below to learn how this grandmother was unable to protect her grandchild by "just driving away" when they were attacked in their car.

The spin on gun control

By Eli Lehrer and John R. Lott Jr.
THE WASHINGTON TIMES
November 14, 2003

Gun control used to be such a simple issue to follow. National Democratic candidates supported more restrictions, while most Republicans believed that gun control provided few benefits. Recently, however, the Democratic Party talks about their devotion to the Second Amendment, while President Bush has been pursuing many policies that are no different (and occasionally more restrictive) than those of his opponents.

At every campaign stop, Democratic front-runner Howard Dean brags about his "A" rating from the NRA, while insurgent Wesley Clark likes to talk about how he grew up around guns and enjoys shooting. Joseph Lieberman, who in the Senate has rarely seen a gun-control bill he didn't like, recently came out against the national handgun licensing proposal at the center of the platform that Al Gore and he ran on in 2000. And Sen. John Kerry invited the media to join him last week on a hunting trip.

Gun-control organizations have claimed that many Democratic presidential candidates are simply putting their views in more politically acceptable terms without changing their substance. Possibly, they are merely putting the best spin on things, but Mr. Dean's frequent references to the Second Amendment certainly take the edge off a little noticed fact: According to gun-control organizations — from Americans for Guns Safety to the Coalition to Stop Gun Violence — all the Democratic candidates support the same new gun-control laws.

It is likely to be smart politics. Mr. Dean blames Mr. Gore's loss on the former vice president's support for extensive federal gun control and now loudly touts his opposition to it. Labor union strategists, likewise, have privately told the Democratic presidential candidates that they will lose key states like Pennsylvania, Ohio and New Mexico if they come off as gun-grabbers.

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

Sheriff Donating Items To Smaller Counties
Associated Press
November 16, 2003

The Franklin County Sheriff's Office is sending old uniforms to rural areas in Ohio to help poorer counties facing budget cuts.

Chris Wise serves as administrative assistant to Franklin County Sheriff Jim Karnes. She spearheaded the program this year after hearing about budget cuts in poorer counties.

Surplus shirts, trousers, hats, holsters and equipment belts are going to places like rural Jackson County in southeastern Ohio.

Jackson County Sheriff John Shasteen said a tight budget forces him to choose between uniforms and necessities like tires or squad cars.

Shasteen says accepting hand-me-downs is somewhat embarrassing but necessary.

Officials say used uniforms are plentiful in Franklin County because the deputies' contract mandates they receive new ones each year.

Meanwhile at the Ohio State Highway Patrol (flush with cash from the Governor's spending and tax increases):

Ohio Highway Patrol zips up best dressed honor
Martins Ferry Times Leader
October 02, 2003

LOOKS AREN'T everything, but don't tell that to troopers from the Ohio State Highway Patrol the next time you're pulled over on a traffic stop.

The agency has once again been recognized for its professional appearance by the National Association of Uniform Manufacturers and Distributors, a non-profit trade group representing the uniform industry.

The Ohio State Highway Patrol recently received the Grand National Winner Award in the NAUMD's annual Best Dressed Police competition, state category.

"The patrol's appearance sets the tone for our professionalism," said Col. Paul McClellan, patrol superintendent. "Troopers are proud of their image, and the uniform projects this image every day as we serve the citizens of Ohio."

Commentary:
Ohio's 88 county sheriffs are the highest law enforcement entities in the state. They make twice as many traffic stops as the OSHP does, and they deal with far more violent crime investigations than does the OSHP, which is focused primarily on enforcing traffic laws. Ohio's sheriffs deserve better.

The following victimization occurred in a parking garage where, 24 hours later, many 'Defense' Walkers were preparing to participate in an historic event around the Statehouse.

Downtown rape prompts added security measures
Women warned to use caution after attack
November 14, 2003

Security will be increased near a Downtown building where a woman was raped last Friday, Columbus police said yesterday.

The attack in a basement restroom at 37 W. Broad St. has increased awareness by private security officers and police officers, they said.

"We want to catch this guy as badly as the public wants it," police spokesman Sgt. Brent Mull said. "Our Downtown bike patrol will be concentrating on this crime and making some business contacts."

An image from a security camera of a man thought to be the rapist was released by police.

One detective called the quality of the image poor but urged anyone with information about the man’s identity to call sexual-abuse detectives at 614-645-4701 or Crime Stoppers at 614-645-TIPS.

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

"We do not want a loaded firearm readily accessible to the driver of a car. If there's a dangerous situation and you're in your car, you can drive off." - Capt. John Born, Ohio State Highway Patrol.

"...Of all the changes made by the Senate, as a father, I am most proud of the work we did to ensure the safety of Ohio children under this bill." - Steve Austria, who chaired the committee which added Taft's "Carjacker Protection" provision in the Senate.

"The bill as passed by the Senate gives law-abiding citizens the opportunity to protect themselves by carrying a concealed weapon, while protecting the best interests and safety of all Ohioans." Senate President Doug White, who delayed appointing conference committee members for four months for political reasons.

Driver killed on West Side
November 14, 2003

A man was shot to death about 2:30 a.m. Friday while driving on Lechner Ave. near Sullivant Ave., on the West Side. Columbus police believe the driver was trying to back away from his assailant when he was shot.

Columbus police said the man, Joseph A. Holmes, was shot several times.

Columbus police say the victim of the shooting lost control of the van after he was shot in the head, and crashed nearby. He was taken to Mount Carmel West, where he died.

Commentary:
Shame on them.

Shame on the Ohio State Highway Patrol for opposing self-defense legislation that saves lives in other states, by using the excuse that drivers in Ohio can "just drive away" when attacked in their cars.

Shame on Gov. Taft for giving these irresponsible, unelected OSHP bureaucrats such absolute legislative authority.

Shame on those Taft enablers in the Ohio Senate, who refuse to commit to overriding a potential Taft veto due to Republican"Party solidarity."

According to GunWeek Magazine, the Ohio State Highway Patrol refuses to answer questions about how their poor advice continues to fail Ohioans, sometimes at the cost of their very lives (see: TONY GORDON DIED TRYING TO FOLLOW OSHP CAPT. JOHN BORN'S ADVICE).

Another Ohioan is dead - dead because he, like Tony Gordon, died trying to drive away when attacked in his car. While all the circumstances of this shooting are not known, what IS known is that the "fundamental nature of a motor vehicle" does not provide a person an adequate means of self-defense, no matter what the Ohio State Highway Patrol bureaucrats say.

Click here to read the story at www.dispatch.com.

November 17, 2003

Thank goodness both Peter Bronson and Sam Malone have the courage to say what they believe, to stand behind their words with conviction and to try to make Cincinnati a better place. May I offer my congratulations to Malone on his victory; I look forward to hearing his voice on Cincinnati City Council.

He will represent a great number of city residents who share his attitude toward many issues, especially the suggested boycott. He will truly be an asset on council. I'm glad you reminded us that Councilwoman Alicia Reece shares the same anti-boycott position as Sam Malone. Hopefully, Sam will be able to enlighten other councilmen and city leaders with his refreshing point of view.

I have seen many Enquirer pictures of the new Charterite councilman but none of the new Republican, Councilman Sam Malone.

Kerin Hayes
Mount Lookout

Click here to read the letter in the Cincinnati Enquirer.

The topic of religion has been injected into the debate over self-defense throughout history, so it should come as no surprise that both sides have raised the question here in Ohio.

But when gun control groups co-opt religion to support their political agenda, we must protest.

Click on the "Read More..." link below to read a letter to the Garfield Sun News editor from Dr. Ali Alhaddad, Religion of Peace, with OFCC commentary.

According to the Cleveland Plain Dealer, Cleveland's violent-crime rate in 2002 was 9 percent higher than it was in 1999. That's reason enough to remove legal restrictions to bearing arms for self-defense. Reason enough, but not the end of the story.

Due to budget deficits, Cleveland's safety director has recommended that the mayor cut 415 police officers, 235 firefighters and 52 EMS workers.

If the recommended cuts are adopted, Cleveland's police force would drop to about 1,400, the lowest number in years.

Click here to read the entire story about proposed law enforcement cutbacks in the Cleveland Plain Dealer.

Click here to read about "another deadly weekend in Cleveland".

Related Stories:
New Report Shows Ohio Violent Crimes Could Have Been Prevented

FBI: Michigan's crime rate down 10.5% with CCW law

Toby Hoover claims Ohioans are better off than Michiganders

Cleveland:
Cleveland sees rise in violent crimes

and
Cleveland, Cincinnati, Columbus & Toledo: violent crime up

Dayton:
City endures more rapes & homicides

Note: the Conference Committee meeting, scheduled for the day this piece was first published, was delayed for one week due to the death of a former colleague. The committee will meet on Wednesday, November 19, and would do well to keep the ideas reiterated this Cincinnati Enquirer editorial in mind.

Click on the "Read More..." link below to read the entire editorial.