An interesting discussion has been ongoing in the opinion pages of the Cleveland Plain Dealer. It was instigated after columnist Regina Brett published a piece praising the differences "between us and them, between regular folks and police officers. We flee; they fight."

Consider this offering, from letter writer Daniel K. Lapp of Strongsville (click on the "Read More..." link below):

According to the Akron Beacon-Journal, Tallmadge police are investigating a Friday morning rape.

A woman said she was walking in the area of Arlington and East Exchange streets in Akron when a man in a light blue minivan offered her a ride. The woman told police the man then took out a stun gun and gave her a jolt on her right side.

She told police he drove her to a parking lot in the 600 block of Newton Street, where he raped her. She said he then kicked her out of the car and left.

The man is described as white with short light brown hair. He is heavy-set and about 40 years old. He told the woman that his name was John.

The woman was treated at St. Thomas Hospital.

Commentary by Chad D. Baus:
Not all women must choose to carry a concealed firearm to benefit from the reformation of Ohio's self-defense laws.

Community activists Monday introduced the second phase of their Peace Down the Way Project, a campaign to stop the bloodshed on Cincinnati's streets. Beginning Sunday, billboards will be posted in Cincinnati neighborhoods calling for a moratorium on violence. They will read:

"... too many tears. Promote Peace. Moratorium on Violence. Peace Down the Way. 751-2332."

Click on the "Read More..." link below for more of the story, and OFCC PAC Commentary.

Potential candidates have until Jan. 2 to say they want to run for the Ohio Senate's 28th District seat.

Some big-name local politicians already are positioning themselves to replace Sen. Leigh Herington (a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee on Criminal Justice, which has held six hearings on HB12 to date) in November 2004. The Democrat from Rootstown Township must leave the job because of term limits.

Summit County Councilwoman Kim Zurz of Green and Portage County Commissioner Chuck Keiper are considering a run on the Democratic side. Meanwhile, Republicans are making no secret they want former state representative and congressional candidate Ann Womer Benjamin in the race.

Many from her party believe she could end the Democrats' 35-year hold on the seat.

Of course, that assumes Womer Benjamin, the head of the state Department of Insurance, joins the field.

"I have a huge job at the Department of Insurance,'' she said last week. "I'm really focused on the Department of Insurance.''

Senate President Doug White, R-Manchester, said he is eager to have Womer Benjamin's help and believes it further would cement Republican dominance in the General Assembly.

"I'm thrilled she's willing to consider it,'' he said. "She's an excellent legislative candidate.''

Click here to read the entire story in the Akron Beacon-Journal.

A representative from Ohioans For Concealed Carry was on hand today at the Statehouse, as HB12 received it's sixth hearing in the Senate Committee on Criminal Justice.

Out of respect for the desires expressed by members of the committee, to bring the public testimony to a close and moving the bill forward, instead of debating indefinately, Ohioans For Concealed Carry did not invite anyone to testify. Another "interested party" hearing, scheduled for tomorrow, has been cancelled.

A short summary of today's hearing may be accessed by clicking on the "Read More..." link below.

All committee members, volunteers, or anyone just plain interested, I will be having a picnic-style meeting at the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation in Columbus on Sunday, June 8, 2003 at 1:00 PM.

We will be discussing plans for the upcoming "Hunt For a Cure - Buckeye Style" event, which will be held in September, and benefitting the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.

I am a licensed independent social worker in the domestic violence field in Cleveland. I have worked with domestic violence perpetrators for six years. Many of them possessed guns when they were under court order not to do so. Many violated the protection orders that commanded them to have no contact with their victim. Other clients came from the Ohio Adult Parole Authority; paroled murderers, rapists, and those convicted of other violent crimes.

Our building in a Cleveland neighborhood, and there is a day-care on the first floor of our building. Our domestic violence agency is on the second floor. To enter the day-care a person must identify themselves and be buzzed in. On the other hand, anyone can walk right into our domestic violence agency and, within seconds, be right in our office. We have no security despite the fact that we work with violent offenders.

"When I told him to freeze, it was the voice of the Lord," Patrick Coughlan told CBS' Jim Axelrod.

Linden Police Officer Sharon Gillespie was in the process of arresting Andrew Gray. He was wanted for assault.

"She told him he was under arrest. When she pulled her handcuffs out, he spun around and grabbed hold of her," said Linden Police Chief Alton McWaters.

That's where Mr. Coughlan comes in. Officer Gillespie and Gray were wrestling when Gillespie lost control of her gun.

Although not directly related to our battle to restore Ohioan's right to self-defense with a firearm, we believe the fight against "assault"-weapons bans is an important one. The erosion of our rights, with bans that do not work, is a serious matter.

Youngstown citizens have been fighting proposals to ban certain types of firearms in that city for some time now. Their list of adversaries has grown.

According to the Youngstown Vindicator, "a board headed by Matthew Stefanak, Mahoning County health commissioner, and his city counterpart, Neil Altman, is asking city council to do something about assault-type firearms." The group is attempting to exploit the death of a child to support their claims that a ban would somehow make a difference.

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

Yet another pro-CCW letter to the editor has been printed in the Zanesville Times-Recorder.

May 27, 2003

I enjoyed reading Mr. Bill Carper's letter to the editor today and his position on Ohio's unconstitutional ban on the rights of lawful Ohioans to carry a concealed firearm for self defense.

Yes, the time is ripe for reform of our current law; and reform it will.

Click here to read Zanesville resident Jeff Emler's entire letter.