While the smaller market and proximity to Youngstown likely reduced attendance at this Walk, the event was indeed notable because of its proximity to Youngstown.

The city of Alliance and the Alliance Police Department were very supportive of the 40-or-so open carry 'Defense' Walkers who took to the streets Sunday. Alliance police even told Walkers that they had received calls from citizens reporting "people with guns", and promptly informed them that openly carrying firearms is legal under Ohio law.

By contrast, Saturday, just a few miles away in Youngstown, Chief Robert Bush was harrassing Walkers by video-taping their every move, and by threatening to arrest anyone who tries to openly carry in his town again and "let the judges sort it out."

Links to post-Walk media coverage as follows:

Alliance Review: Group wants concealed weapons legalized

(Click "Read More..." link below for an archived version)

While participating in the Youngstown open carry 'Defense' Walk on Nov. 1, Senator March Dann (D) told other Walkers, and the media, that the conferees' first meeting on House Bill 12 will be convened on November 12.

While we are disappointed in the three week delay before a meeting, we are glad that it is finally scheduled.

Ohioans For Concealed Carry is calling on the committee to act quickly so that the legislature can pass the law before recessing for the year. Lives truly hang in the balance, and political delays thwarting the will of the legislature and of Ohioans have gone on for far too long already.

Committee members may be reached as follows:

House Members
Rep. Jim Aslanides (R) 614-644-6014 or district94@ohr.state.oh.us
Rep. Robert Latta (R) 614-644-8104 or district06@ohr.state.oh.us
Rep. Lance Mason (D) 614-466-5441 or district08@ohr.state.oh.us

Senate Members
Sen. Doug White (R) 614-466-8082 or dwhite@mailr.sen.state.oh.us
Sen. Scott Nein (R) 614-466-8072 or SD04@mailr.sen.state.oh.us
Sen. Marc Dann (D) 614-466-7182 or dann32@mailr.sen.state.oh.us

Governor Taft can be reached at 614-466-3555 or Governor.Taft@das.state.oh.us.