FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NOVEMBER 7, 2003
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Open Carry 'Defense' Walkers from across Ohio will bring their display to the Statehouse

COLUMBUS • Ohioans For Concealed Carry has announced that activists from across the state who are interested in protesting legislative obstruction of concealed carry reform will "openly carry" their sidearms at the corner of E. Broad St. and N. High St. in downtown Columbus, November 12 at 2:00 p.m.

In recent weeks, hundreds upon hundreds of Ohioans have staged 'Defense' Walks, in which they openly carry firearms to protest a Republican-dominated Ohio Supreme Court decision, which ruled that a concealed-carry ban was constitutional because citizens can carry firearms openly. Many of these citizens are now making plans to join OFCC’s Central Ohio Coordinator, Gerard Valentino, on a walk around the Statehouse.

"People from every corner of the state have been contacting me for weeks about wanting to do a Walk near the Statehouse," said Valentino. "I’ve been thankful to have obtained the support of the Columbus Police Department. We look forward to offering a peaceful, silent statement to our elected officials as they return for session."

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

On Wednesday, November 5, a commentary about the 2003 election results, entitled Ohio Republican voters fire shot (that should be) heard 'round the nation, was posted on this website. Almost immediately, we began receiving feedback from readers interested in making sure this piece was read by as many people as possible.

That mission is well on it's way to accomplishment. By the following afternoon, the commentary was running on the front page of CNSNews.com (Cybercast News Service). Crosswalk.com, which picks up all CNSNews items, also published it within the hour.

What really may have sent shivers down a few weak-spines in Ohio was when Townhall.com and Bushcountry.org decided to publish the commentary. Operated by the conservative, Washington D.C.-based Heritage Foundation, Townhall.com is widely read by political elites "inside the beltway".

The commentary finishes by asking the question, "Can you hear us now, GOP?" The answer is in - thanks to these national news outlets.

To see the commentary for yourself, click below:

CNSNews.com

Townhall.com

Bushcountry.org

Crosswalk.com

Poll: Republican Party has made strong gains since 2000 election
November 05, 2003

WASHINGTON - A year before Election Day, the number of people who identify themselves as Republicans is significantly larger than when George W. Bush was elected president, particularly in several pivotal states such as Florida and Michigan that often prove decisive in close contests.

The gains bring the Republicans to national parity with Democrats, at least momentarily ending decades of disadvantage in voters' party identification that started when Franklin Roosevelt built the modern Democratic coalition in the 1930s and that endured with only occasional breaks ever since.

The result is a country split almost evenly between the parties, with 34 percent of registered voters calling themselves Democrats, 33 percent calling themselves Republicans and 33 percent calling themselves independent or some other party, according to an in-depth survey by the Pew Research Center For The People & The Press, a nonpartisan research group.

In 15 swing states, which hold no consistent historic allegiance to either party and are up for grabs in every presidential election, the two major parties are split virtually evenly, with 33 percent overall for Republicans and 34 percent for Democrats. At the outset of the 2000 campaign, the Grand Old Party was at a 6-point disadvantage in the bloc. Since then Republicans have gained in 13 of the 15 states.

Among the swing states, Republicans now lead in partisan identification in Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Tennessee, Florida and Wisconsin. They gained but still trail in Arkansas, West Virginia, New Mexico, Louisiana, Missouri and Oregon. They are now tied with Democrats in Pennsylvania.

They lost ground in two swing states, New Hampshire and Ohio. [NO candidate has ever become President without winning Ohio].

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

November 7, 2003
Akron Beacon-Journal

A father involved with the Summit County Children Services Board has been charged with raping a social worker who went to his apartment Thursday to discuss his child's case.

Akron police arrested Shawn Robert Marshall on charges of rape and kidnapping, both first-degree felonies. Officers were waiting for Marshall to be treated at Akron City Hospital before taking him into custody. Marshall, 23, took several pills in a suicide attempt following the rape, police said.

Marshall was just released Monday from the Summit County Jail, where he was serving time for domestic violence, according to jail records.

The social worker was treated at St. Thomas Hospital. Colleagues say she was hired about two weeks before a CSB strike began July 14 and is in a six-month probationary period.

"We are all shaken by this incident, and we are working closely with police,'' said CSB spokesman Jim Armstrong, who declined further comment.

The attack occurred about 10 a.m. Thursday at Marshall's apartment in the 100 block of Fulton Street, near Laird Street.

A document on file in Akron Municipal Court describes the incident this way:

FLASHBACK: Social worker - "Bad law forces honorable citizens to disobey in name of self-defense"

Click on the "Read More..." link below for more of this tragic victimization in Akron.

Taft, Legislature Left Ohio Workplace Shooting Victims Defenseless, Says CCRKBA

For Immediate Release
November 6, 2003

Thursday's workplace shooting in suburban Cincinnati, Ohio underscores the need for Buckeye State lawmakers to craft a sensible concealed carry law, and for Gov. Bob Taft to stop blocking the measure, the Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms (CCRKBA) said today.

Two people were killed and three others wounded at Watkins Motor Lines when a man identified as a former employee entered the company's office and opened fire. The suspect is identified as Tom West.

"These five people were left essentially defenseless by Gov. Bob Taft's political gamesmanship, and the Ohio Legislature's unwillingness to pass meaningful legislation over his objections," said CCRKBA Chairman Alan Gottlieb. "Yet, instead of working toward this end over the past couple of years, the Legislature has been in virtual gridlock on the subject.

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

Those who are following the fight to restore our right to bear arms for self-defense closely will be familiar with the name Lori A. O'Neill. O'Neill is President of the "Million" Mom March's Cleveland Chapter, and one of the few vocal anti-self-defense extremists in our state. What you may not know is that she is a regular visitor of this website, and frequently shares thoughts with members of the OFCC steering committee.

In late September, O'Neill was upset after we pointed out that two Ohio newspapers had succumbed to gun control extremists' demands to stop selling classified ads for firearms.

This week, she has a new axe to grind, and specifically requested that she make it public on this website. We couldn't be happier to grant her wish.

Commentary inserted in blue.

From: Lori O'Neill
To: Chad Baus
Sent: Thursday, November 06, 2003 3:21 PM
Subject: You can do better than that, can't you?

Chad, Chad, Chad:

You are so exasperating! "The Lengths They'll Go to Spread Their Anti-Gun Message"? As you know, we're not anti-gun, but it seems that the only way you have of inciting your members to passion is to make false accusations and place false labels on my group. Sad, but telling.