'Defense' Walkers calling on Taft to stop obstructing HB12

James A. "Tony" Gordon, a 27-year-old father, died on Wednesday, August 6,
2003 after being shot in the chest during an attempted carjacking in Dayton.
On Sunday, November 30, his family will join other Ohioans concerned about
the right to self-defense in a Walk around the Governor's Mansion.

Tony's family will be wearing t-shirts bearing his image. Other Walkers are
expected to carry photos of Gordon, and other Ohioans who were rendered
defenseless by Ohio's concealed carry ban. In October, the family attended
a Walk in Manchester, Senate President White's hometown. Two days later,
White reversed four months of delays by appointing conferees to a committee
on House Bill 12, the concealed carry bill.

"I would like to thank all of the people who have been so kind to us in this
terrible time of our lives! I loved my son so very much and will always have
this big empty hole in my heart," said Phyllis Gordon, Tony's mother. "I
also would urge everyone who believes that we have the right to carry a
weapon to defend ourselves, such as in the situation that my son was put in,
to please contact your congressmen and let them know how you feel! Maybe if
Tony was able to have a weapon, he would be here now!"

Ohioans For Concealed Carry is concerned with all criminal victimizations -
the desire to reduce violent crime is a key reason why we advocate the
passage of a concealed carry law, such as every state surrounding Ohio, and
45 states in our nation, now enjoy.

What brought us special concern in Tony's case was the manner in which he
was victimized. According to Lt. John Huber, Dayton Police department, Tony
was killed while trying to "drive away" from his attacker "and was shot for
it."

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

Fairborn man assaulted, robbed answering door
Dayton Daily News
November 26, 2003

FAIRBORN | A 20-year-old man told police that four masked men rushed into his apartment Monday and put a gun to his head before stealing two handguns, Fairborn police reported.

The man said he opened the door of his apartment, in the 200 block of Dayton-Yellow Springs Road, about 9 p.m. believing a neighbor was knocking. He told police the men barged in and began assaulting him, but when he realized the gun one of them had was a plastic toy he struggled and yelled for help, according to a police report. Police said he told them the suspects fled when neighbors came to his aid.

Witnesses also told police that two semi-automatic handguns — a black Lama .45-caliber and a chrome Jennings .380-caliber — were stolen, according to the report.

Commentary:
Since the victim's firearms were clearly the intended target of these criminals, it is obvious they knew they were present in his home. If concealed carry licenseholders' personal information is made open to the public, criminals like these will be provided a list of Ohio homes in which they can find firearms to steal.

These criminals had a toy gun when they invaded this home. Because they knew exactly which home to rob in order to get what they wanted, they were able to use that information to assault this man and steal his property. Now they have two real guns.

After the campaign waged by the Ohio Newspaper Association and various liberal editorial boards to advance Taft's latest agenda, we would've espected declarations of victory in today's headlines. Yet only the Plain Dealer is among the conspirators who informed their readers of this update, which undoubtedly indicates they were not successul in "sinking" HB12 with the public records issue.

11/26/03
Sandy Theis

Columbus - House Speaker Larry Householder said he's willing to negotiate with Gov. Bob Taft over the governor's demand for the state to disclose the names of people who are issued permits to carry concealed handguns.

Gov. Bob Taft appeared to derail the long-debated gun bill last week when he threatened to veto it unless it requires the state to disclose the name, birth date and county of residence of people who are issued a gun permit.

House and Senate leaders initially rejected Taft's demand, but Householder reversed himself yesterday.

"Let's try and work out the differences and get things settled once and for all," Householder said.

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

Ohio’s Legal Logjam
by Blaine Smith, Assistant Editor, America's 1st Freedom
December 2003

With the Ohio Supreme Court letting stand a ban on the right to carry, the ongoing fight for the rights of Ohio citizens is being waged in the state’s legislature. And neither side looks ready to give in.

Late September 2003 found the Ohio Supreme Court overturning previous rulings by a Hamilton County judge and the 1st District Court of Appeals, both of which found Ohio’s ban on carrying firearms for self-defense violates the state’s constitution.

This ruling came in spite of the Ohio Constitution’s patently explicit declaration that “The people have the right to bear arms for their defense and security.” In both the majority and dissentingopinions, all seven justices presiding agreed that “[T]he right to bear arms for defense and security provided by the Ohio Constitution is a fundamental right.” However, a five-judge majority favored curtailing the express rights described in the state constitution, and leaving the work of reversing 140 years of flawed public policy to the legislature, instead of making an informed, just decision that would restore an individual right to those to whom it rightfully belongs - individuals.

Attempts in the Ohio legislature to enact a law recognizing citizens’ right to carry firearms is being hobbled in much the same way - by elitists in positions of power who have unduly stalled the legislative process for reasons no weightier than personal interest or fraternal association. This comes at the expense of no only constitutionally protected freedoms, but, as a recent study shows, violent victimizations numbering in the hundreds each month.

Click on the “Read More...” link below for more.