by Jim Irvine, OFCC PAC Chairman
December 20, 2003

Seventy people attended today’s open carry shopping day in Vermilion, Ohio including about 15 women. From noon until 2 O’clock, we shopped and committed random acts of commerce.

Unlike all the other open carry walks, participants of today’s walk were there not just to send a message, or display the absurdity of current law verses HB12. Today, people were there to shop. It’s Christmas time, and what a better time of year to visit some quaint shops with special gifts you will not find at super stores. From stores as varied as Main Street Soda Grill, to Bittersweet Annie’s Antiques & Accents to Vermilion Hardware, we walked and we shopped. The Vermilion shops were a great place to find unique and distinct gifts, as well as such simple pleasures as homemade chocolate and candies.

Many walk attendees had never been to Vermilion before, but many of us will return because of the great stores, deals, and most importantly the people of Vermilion. Some storeowners welcomed us before we arrived, while some were a little apprehensive, but all were glad that we came. Winter can be a slow time for a tourist town, but we made this cold winter day look like a “normal summer day” for some and were “a very friendly, courteous group” to others. The overall request of participating storeowners was, “When can you come back?”

Thanks to all who not only came to walk, but came to shop. Most Ohioans want concealed carry, and most Ohioans spend money. Today we demonstrated that those who do not have an irrational fear of firearms will not only benefit from increased security, but increased profits.

Today those who carried firearms were plainly visible. Hopefully the next time a group of gun owners gather to shop, there will be no cameras, no media, and no special interest. The next time we gather to shop, Ohio could be the 46th state to approve concealed carry. We will still have guns, we will still obey all laws, we will still be polite to others and we will still spend money. But next time the focus will be where it should be, on the stores that sell great products, and the people who welcome us to their town.

Click on the "Read More..." link below for more Open Carry Shopping Day insight from Walk Organizer Dan White, as well as links to media coverage of the event.

December 20, 2003

By JIM SIEGEL and LEO SHANE III
Gannett Newspapers Columbus Bureau

COLUMBUS -- Senate President Doug White continues to insist that he doesn't have the votes to override a potential veto of a bill allowing Ohioans to carry concealed handguns.

But others in his caucus disagree.

"Based on the senators I've talked to, we would have enough votes to override the governor," said Sen. Steve Austria, R-Beavercreek, the Senate's point man on the gun issue.

Austria said he did some informal polling during the end of discussions, and found the chamber could get the 20 votes needed to override Gov. Bob Taft if he decides to veto the bill.

Taft said he is still hoping a deal can be worked out with the House so a veto won't be necessary. He has lingering concerns over the openness of permitting records, and refuses to sign the current bill unless a new bill is passed to address that issue.

House Speaker Larry Householder, R-Glenford, has said repeatedly that he has the votes to override Taft if he vetoes the bill. But just as often, White has said he does not have enough votes.

Gannett Newspapers polled 23 senators who voted in favor of the gun bill, and 17 said they would agree to override a veto.

"If it comes down to the only way to enact a meaningful concealed carry law for Ohio is to override the governor's veto, then that's the vote I intend to cast," said Sen. Randy Gardner, R-Bowling Green.

Four said they were undecided -- Sens. Bill Harris, Jeff Armbruster, Robert Gardner, and Steve Stivers.

Toledo Blade
December 19, 2003

By JAMES DREW
BLADE COLUMBUS BUREAU CHIEF

COLUMBUS - Randy Gardner yesterday dropped out of the race to become the next president of the Ohio Senate, paving the way for old rival Jeff Jacobson to become the chamber’s most powerful member.

"I would rather be president, but there are some factors that make it more difficult to do that at this time," Mr. Gardner said. As president pro tem, the Bowling Green Republican is expected to remain the No. 2 state senator in the 2005-2006 session.

Mr. Jacobson, a Vandalia Republican who now holds the No. 4 slot as majority whip, is expected to be elected Senate president in November or December, 2004. The current president, Doug White (R., Manchester) cannot seek re-election because of term limits.

"This is a win for the caucus and for Ohio in that we are going to take our best efforts from both of us into a future team," Mr. Jacobson said.

Mr. Gardner said the deciding factor for him dropping out of the Senate president race was the time he wants to spend with his wife, Sandy, and their three children.

"If there was a fund-raiser tonight halfway across the state, [Mr. Jacobson] would probably still go and I won’t," said Mr. Gardner, before rushing out of his Statehouse office to see his two sons in basketball games in Wood County.

Mr. Jacobson and his wife, Susan Williams, have a 3-year-old son.

The GOP controls the Senate, 22-11, and is expected to retain its control of the chamber in next year’s elections.

Click here to read the story in the Toledo Blade.

Related Stories:
Senate Veto-Override Outlook

Will the next Senate President be willing to override Taft?

Today, December 20, from 12:00 to 2:00, there will be an Open Carry Shopping Day in the Harbour Town historic district of Vermilion, OH.

The Cleveland Plain Dealer's Question of the Day for December 16 asked:

What do you think of the "Vermilion Open Carry Shopping Day" event?

Open Carry "Defense' Walks have always been about showing the absurdity of a state law and Supreme Court which bans concealed carry by trained citizens under the notion that it would be dangerous, while at the same time allowing open carry with no restrictions.

Judging from some of these Clevelanders' answers, the 'Defense' Walks are still a much-needed educational tool.

UPDATE: Sadly, judging from this Cleveland Plain Dealer op-ed, some people will never learn.

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