Late last week, Ohioans for Concealed Carry urged its members and supporters in the Akron area to attend a debate at Akron University on Tuesday, February 11.

The Akron University Sociology Club sponsored the debate "to help voters
understand both sides of the issue of 'Civilians carrying concealed weapons.'"

University of Akron Chief of Police Paul Callahan represented the position of the anti-CCW crowd, and Professor of Sociology Dr. Brian Pendleton (Phd), presented the facts for our side.

For a detailed follow-up report, and the text of Pendleton's opening remarks, click on the "Read More..." link below.

Ohio law officers cannot find at least 301 sex offenders -- including 38 in central Ohio -- who have failed to register their address as required by the state's Megan's Law.

Of those in central Ohio, 33 are supposed to be in Franklin County and five in surrounding counties.

Among the wanted are predators who have committed violent rapes, including one Columbus man involved in a gang rape of two teen-agers, and a Delaware County man who molested an elderly woman in a home invasion. Others on the list have molested children.

OFCC PAC Commentary:
And yet, an unconstitutional Ohio law prevents women from legally carrying a concealed firearm for their self-defense.

• Every day that Ohio's Republican leadership waits to pass concealed carry reform increases the defenseless victim list in our state. Ohio's unconstitutional ban on carrying a concealed weapon is, like all other laws, continually ignored by the very criminals the law seeks to restrain.

Click here to read the entire story in the Columbus Dispatch (subscription site - paid access only).

Akron man charged in woman's stabbing

AKRON: An Akron man was charged Saturday with stabbing the mother of his 4-year-old son in front of the child.

Mickie T. Barmore, 23, is charged with aggravated burglary, felonious assault, domestic violence, violation of a civil protection order, child endangering and domestic violence menacing.

Police said he entered Eleanor D. Heller's home in the 400 block of Cole Avenue around 2:30 a.m. and told her, ``You're going to die,'' while stabbing her with a steak knife.

Heller suffered two small gouges on the back of her head and one on the top of her head, according to police reports.

Heller had a restraining order against Barmore, who is the father of her two children.

OFCC PAC Commentary:
"Crimes of passion" are often the culmination of a long pattern of abuse, and anti-stalking laws and restraining orders, like waiting periods and concealed carry bans, only affect the law-abiding.

The victims of violence in these situations may realize only too late that they need to defend themselves, and in such a situation, Ohio's concealed carry ban (which considers everyone a potential criminal) can kill.

Click on the "Read More..." link below to read a quote from Akron's "finest" on how pointless restraining orders are as a means of self-defense.

This from the Cincinnati Enquirer: Burglary suspect shot, killed by police in Cincinnati

In Hamilton County, where two courts and four judges ruled Ohio's felony prohibition against carrying firearms for self-defense is unconstitutional, a police officer was forced to use deadly force when an burglary suspect turned on him with the officer's nightstick.

One can only imagine the reaction this suspect may have had against the average disarmed citizen in Hamilton County had someone discovered him in their own home.

The Million Mommies just won't let up on Jim Trakas (R-17). After enduring a littany of televised attack ads, and the staging of a poorly attended and politically unsuccessful election eve opposition rally, Rep. Jim Trakas probably thought the Mommies were silenced on election day, when he soared to a convincing victory, taking votes nearly 2 to 1.

Little did he know, his anti-CCW foes would wait less than 1 month into the start of the 125th General Assembly to launch a new salvo. Only this time, it appears their strategy is to lie about Trakas' position in public, in effort to force his hand.

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