EXCLUSIVE: Must credit www.OhioCCW.org

Last week, OFCC was first to report that, due to Senate amendments to HB12 dealing with how one should carry a firearm, law enforcement agencies in Ohio are not in agreement on Am. Sub. HB12.

We also reported that the Buckeye State Sheriff Association (BSSA) had asked both the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) and Ohio State Highway Patrol (OSHP) to a meeting, the purpose for which is to get the major law enforcement agencies in agreement on this important issue.

We are now pleased to report that the Fraternal Order of Police has accepted the invitation.

When asked if Senate President Doug White supports the meeting, the communications director for the Ohio Senate Republican Caucus, Maggie Mitchell, told OFCC that White "supports any efforts that will get us a viable bill."

As previously reported, both the BSSA and FOP believe that making someone repeatedly handle, holster and unholster a loaded firearm is unsafe. These unsafe practices would be mandated as a result of Taft-sponsored Senate amendments.

The Ohio State Highway Patrol stands alone as the only law enforcement agency in Ohio that has endorsed this dangerous practice. Why?

We are thankful to the BSSA for facilitating this important meeting, to the FOP for agreeing to meet in the effort to find a solution.

Since the OSHP's stated goal is to "enforce the traffic laws and promote safety on the highways", and since Ohio's major law enforcement agencies' critical safety concerns specifically deal with the language the OSHP demanded the Senate insert, we expect the OSHP to come to the table.

To express your own expectations to the OSHP (politely please!) as a taxpayer, call 1-877-7-PATROL. You may also email your thoughts to the Ohio Patrol Superintendent Col. Paul D. McClellan. Finally, some may wish to to download an official OHP complaint form (.pdf file), which can be used to register an official complaint against troopers like Capt. John Born, who are putting lives at risk by telling persons that when attacked in their cars, they should just "drive off."

Related Stories:
OFCC learns of behind-the-scenes progress on HB12

TONY GORDON DIED TRYING TO FOLLOW OSHP CAPT. JOHN BORN'S ADVICE

Tony Gordon wasn't the first, nor will he be the last

Letter from Patrol Superintendent regarding concealed weapon legislation

The evidence OSHP Superintendant Paul McClellan can't find

Reality Check for the Ohio Highway Patrol: Don't Get ''Borned''

Akron Beacon-Journal
September 3, 2003

One man was shot and his alleged accomplice was held at gunpoint by a burglary victim at the Studio City apartments in Cuyahoga Falls early Tuesday, police said.

The victim, Louis E. Caporaletti, 43, was awakened during the burglary attempt at 12:45 a.m. and confronted the two suspects, police said.

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During a scuffle, police said Caporaletti produced a 9 mm handgun, fired three times and wounded one of the suspects, 19-year-old Christopher D. Walker.

Police said Caporaletti held the second suspect, 20-year-old Christopher H. Thrasher, at gunpoint until officers arrived at the 2299 Winter Parkway apartment.

Walker was taken to Akron City Hospital, where he underwent surgery for his wound, police said.

Police Lt. Tom Pozza said both suspects were charged with aggravated burglary and robbery.

Click here to read the story from the Akron Beacon-Journal.

Toledo Blade
September 1, 2003

A North Toledo man was shot late Saturday by a man who then took the victim’s wallet.

Dickie Isom, 2239 North Erie St., told police he was about to enter his vehicle in front of his home when a man approached about 10:10 p.m. Mr. Isom said he ran when he saw the man had a handgun.

The suspect chased him and fired two shots, one hitting Mr. Isom in the right buttock. The suspect caught up with Mr. Isom and took his wallet.

Mr. Isom was treated in St. Vincent Mercy Medical Center, police said.

Meanwhile, in a state that allows its law-abiding citizens to carry a
concealed handgun for self-defense, a different outcome resulted when this motorist was attacked next to his parked car: (click on the "Read More..." link below)

According to statistics from the National Center for Health Statistics, covering annual numbers and rates of death due to accidents and other reasons from 1981 through 1999, the annual number of deaths involving firearms has decreased very year since 1993, and firearm accident deaths have decreased almost every year for decades.

Of course, during this same period of time, the number of Right-to-Carry states has risen steadily and are now higher than ever. Hundreds of thousands of additional firearms are in the hands of law-abiding citizens daily across the nation, and accident rates continue to decline.

Sen. Steve Austria, who chaired the committee which rammed Bob Taft's lock-box, or "Carjacker protection" loophole, into Am. Sub. HB12, testified on the floor that the language was necessary to protect children from accidents.

"...Of all the changes made by the Senate, as a father, I am most proud of the work we did to ensure the safety of Ohio children under this bill."

Senate President Doug White said "the bill as passed by the Senate gives law-abiding citizens the opportunity to protect themselves by carrying a concealed weapon, while protecting the best interests and safety of all Ohioans."

Yet not one other right-to-carry state has a provision restricting licenseholders' access to their firearms if children are in their vehicles, and accidents continue to decrease.

Whatever is the real intention for the Senate's insertion of this UNsafe language, it won't be to reduce accidents. Perhaps quite the contrary:

As we reported in an exclusive story last week, the Buckeye State Sheriffs Association and Fraternal Order of Police agree that this provision may well lead to an increasing number of accidents, if citizens were forced to repeatedly handle, holster and unholster a loaded firearm. These unsafe practices would be mandated as a result of Taft-sponsored Senate amendments.

Click here for more information on the good news about firearms safety in America.

Related Stories:
Criminal victimization at lowest level in 30 years

How a Republican (who won't act like one) governor is stalling HB12

Insisting on 'Carjacker Protection': What does Bob Taft have against children?

Father Killed While Buying Milk For His Daughter - Victim Shoots Back
September 1, 2003

A Jacksonville man is dead after defending his family from an assailant at a gas station late Saturday.

Charles Day, 30, of the 3500 block of Broadway Avenue, died about 7:30 yesterday morning after he was shot in the stomach, said homicide Sgt. Shannon Douberly of the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office.

The suspect was in critical condition Monday with bullet wounds to the head and chest, inflicted by the man he killed.

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

More innocent Ohioans' lives were shattered over the weekend when attacked in their cars. The Ohio State Highway Patrol says they should have been able to "drive off" when attacked, and Senate leaders are obstructing progress on sending a bill to Gov. Taft's desk by refusing to remove provisions which would render many people defenseless in their cars.

Bond is set for suspect in carjacking, police chase

SANDUSKY - Alfonso Vann, 21, was being held last night in the Sandusky County jail after a Sandusky Municipal Court judge set bond of $35,000 on charges of aggravated robbery, felony fleeing and eluding, receiving stolen property, and carrying a concealed weapon.

Authorities said Mr. Vann jumped into a car in the parking lot of the Dairy Mart on East State Street about 10:20 p.m. Saturday, then pulled a gun on the driver. The driver, Brandon Bates of Fremont, jumped out of the car in the parking lot. Troopers with the Sandusky post of the Ohio Highway Patrol spotted the car on State Rt. 2 near State Rt. 4 in Erie County and pursued the vehicle at speeds up to 100 mph, catching it near State Rt. 13 in Berlin Township.

Man fatally shot in Five Oaks neighborhood

DAYTON | A man was shot and killed in Dayton's Five Oaks neighborhood late Tuesday, and police are looking for the shooter.

The victim's name is being withheld, pending notification of next of kin.

Police were called at 9:54 p.m. to Five Oaks Avenue where they found a man unconscious in a car. Neighbors said the victim was dropping off his girlfriend when he was shot. He drove his car down the alley and crashed it into the garage at 109 Five Oaks.

He was pronounced dead at Miami Valley Hospital half an hour later.

Police cordoned off and searched Five Oaks and Brightwood avenues. Anyone with any any information is asked to call police at 333-1000.