January 21, 2004
Middletown Journal

‘Scream their rage’

Newspapers across the state have used their editorial page to scream their rage at passage of Ohio’s new concealed carry law. Many predict blood in the streets, shoot-outs among family members, increased accidents, etc.

Proponents of these crime-deterrent laws have pointed to other states (as examples of how this doesn’t happen) until they are blue in the face, but the editors seem to be unable to escape Ohio’s borders in their mind.

In a different kind of editorial, the Toledo Blade just reported that each year nearly 20,000 people are injured in accidents caused by fatigued truck drivers. Last summer, another newspaper editorialized that, according to the Insurance Information Institute, about 75,000 people per year require emergency room treatment for injuries caused by lawn mowers.

So why am I writing about 75,000 accidental lawn mower injuries or 20,000 injuries from tired truck drivers in a letter about self-defense rights?

Because, according to the Centers for Disease Control, fewer than 17,700 people received non-fatal injuries due to a firearms accident in 2001.

Because when you add to that accidental number those injured intentionally, due to violent attack, the total number is still less than those injured by accidents with lawn mowers — 63,000.

Because there is no Ohio Coalition Against Lawn Mowers or America’s Nightmare Due to Tired Truck Drivers.

Because the Million Mom March isn’t ambulance-chasing and holding press conferences every time someone is injured with their Lawn Boy or run over by an 18-wheeler.

Because Bob Taft isn’t dictating legislation requiring that lawn mowers be stored safely and/or that trucks not be operated in the presence of children under 18.

But most of all, I’m writing this because, unlike a firearm, no one’s life has ever been saved with a lawn mower, and no rape has ever been prevented by a Peterbilt.

CHAD D. BAUS
Archbold

Editor’s note: Chad Baus is a member of Ohioans for Concealed Carry.

Click on the "Read More..." link below to read a letter about 'paranoid lunatics' with guns from, seemingly, a paranoid lunatic.

2004 OFCC PAC endorsee Jean Schmidt (currently a state representative), is running to replace Senator Doug White in District 14.

Guest Column
By State Representative Jean Schmidt
January 12, 2004

Do you remember the movie As Good as it Gets? The message of the film was that we seldom get what we want and usually settle for a lot less due to circumstances we cannot control. The same could be said when passing legislation, especially House Bill 12, Ohio’s new Concealed Carry Law.

For thirty years members of the legislature have attempted to pass a concealed carry law and, until now, all efforts had failed regardless which political party was in the majority. And this year, it nearly slipped through our fingers yet again.

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

01.20.2004
Lima News

Once again, the powers that be in Ohio -- the governor and the highway
patrol -- have missed the mark. It's about time for us to enjoy our
constitutional right to bear arms in this state.

My comments are directed primarily toward the concealed carrying of a
firearm in a vehicle. I am led to believe the proposed idea by law
enforcement is to allow a firearm to be carried totally concealed in any
circumstance or situation except when driving or riding in a vehicle. In
that circumstance, it is suggested or mandated that we wear our guns in
plain sight in a holster on our person. Are we then to keep a holster in
our cars, slip it on, take the gun from our pocket or concealed holster
and place it into and take it out of the exposed holster every time we
get into and out of our cars? If so, this is not only silly, but dangerous.

Having been a certified firearms rangemaster in the Navy and having
carried concealed on occasion, one of the first rules of doing so is to
"leave the gun in the holster at all times unless you are going to use
it." The less you handle the gun when carrying, the less apt you are to
create a potentially hazardous situation such as accidental discharge. I
get the feeling that those people enacting the laws concerning carrying
guns have never actually shot one, carried one or know anything about
them. If we are able to carry concealed, then let's leave the weapon
concealed. It is the safest way by far.

DENNIS CUNNINGHAM
Lima

January 20, 2004
Marietta Times

Washington County Sheriff's Office deputies are making preparations for Ohio's new concealed weapons law, which takes effect in April.

Under the new law, citizens who apply for and are granted a special permit are allowed to carry concealed handguns in Ohio.

The issue of concealed carry was an ongoing debate that took several drafts and several years before finally being signed into law earlier this month. Already, several Washington County residents have called to request permits. The will be available after April 9.

Cutler resident Jeff Wright, 39, said he is looking forward to having the ability to choose whether to carry a concealed weapon.

"Law-abiding citizens ought to have the right to carry," Wright said. "I don't believe the people who go through the training and get the permit are going to be the ones to cause any problems or abuse it."

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