A wonderful letter to the editor, short and to-the-point, has been published in today's Columbus Dispatch. Since the paper's website is subscription-only, an archived copy is provided here:

Wednesday, February 26, 2003

I am confused. On one hand, we are warned to prepare to do battle with terrorists who will attack us in our neighborhoods. On the other hand, the liberals are trying to disarm the law-abiding Americans who are the targets, through the proven stupidity of gun control.

Who should I fear most: liberals or terrorists?

JOHN D. COWAN
Upper Arlington

Pro-CCW residents of House District 45 in Akron will have the opportunity to speak to their representative face-to-face this week. State Rep. Robert J. Otterman, D-Akron, will hold office hours on Thursday and Friday.

Otterman is a consistent anti-CCW voter. Interested constituents may wish to take copies of the OFCC PAC Education Guide, and this Akron "Tale of Two Cities" article, to a visit with Rep. Otterman.

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

COLUMBUS -- A bill to issue concealed weapons permits to Ohioans began another round of hearings in the House Tuesday, featuring a quick debate sparked by Democrats.

Rep. Jim Aslanides, R-Coshocton, repeated his belief to House committee members that the issue is critical to protect the rights and safety of Ohio residents.

"The right to carry a hand gun allows individuals, common folk, you, to immediately respond to a life-threatening situation," he said. "Withholding this right is to leave the citizen defenseless until the police or other law enforcement arrives, and we know they cannot be everywhere."

The concealed weapons bill was among the most debated topics in the House last year, and the issue has commanded dozens of hearings in both chambers dating back to 1995.

Click here to read the full story in the Coshocton Tribune.

Other news outlets covering the story:

Cincinnati WCPO.com: Concealed Weapons Bill Back, With Court Ruling Pending

Toledo WTOL.com: Concealed Weapons

Columbus Dispatch: Revised concealed-weapons bill unveiled

Ohio News Network: Concealed Carry Bill Back Before Statehouse Committee

Bucyrus Telegraph-Forum: Hearings begin again on gun bill

Canton Repository: Concealed weapons bill back, with court ruling pending

When politics and behind-the-scenes quid pro quo leads to the positioning of certain law enforcement groups against concealed carry reform, it is often tempting to place the blame on law enforcement itself.

The leadership of groups like the Fraternal Order of Police labor union, and the Ohio Highway Patrol, continue to put up resistance to the restoration of Ohioans' self-defense rights. They say that law-abiding citizens will put officers at risk if they carry a firearm for self-defense in a vehicle, despite the fact that not one documented case exists (nationwide!) to support their claim. They say the average citizen can't be trusted with a concealed firearm without receiving up to one hundred of hours of training (like their officers get).

These safety, training and trust issues bleed of hypocracy. OFCC PAC could print a story a day (or more) on police officers being found to be corrupt, or to have caused a negligent discharge with their sidearm, etc. The simple fact is, a small sliver of society will always be disrespectful of our laws, not withstanding their occupation as police officers, accountants, car salespeople, journalists, etc. And as the following story proves, accidents can happen, even after hundreds of hours of training.

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