The Ohio Department of Transportation's Assistant Legal Counsel, Michaela J. Peterson, has replied to inquiries by OFCC PAC about reports of "no-guns" signs posted in parking areas at rest stops, confirming that it is ODOT policy to post "no-guns" signs only on rest area buildings, and not on parking areas or grounds surrounding the buildings.

"It is our policy, in accordance with Ohio law, to post "No Firearms" signs on the doors of all rest stop facilities," Peterson wrote. "We have contacted the Administrator of our facilities management division and he assures us this is where the signs are located."

The issue gained increased attention after two sexual assaults which occurred at rest areas in recent months. "No-guns" signs were reportedly posted in the parking lot of a rest area where an assault occurred in April. But since concealed carry is only prohibited in state-owned buildings, concerns that persons would unnecessarily disarm themselves drove citizens to begin contacting ODOT about the problem.

In response to a follow-up request from OFCC PAC for confirmation that the signs had in fact been removed from parking areas at the I-77 rest area in Summit County, Ms. Peterson stated that "we are going to call our Summit County manager and ask that an ODOT crew member verify the sign location at the rest stop area the next time they are in the vicinity."

OFCC members and PAC volunteers are encouraged to continue to take notice of placement of "no-guns" signs at Ohio rest areas. To properly inform patrons of current Ohio law, signs should be placed on buildings rather than in parking areas.

Any further sightings of improperly placed signs should be reported to info@buckeyefirearms.org.

Reports of improperly placed signs should also be made to ODOT as follows:

Ohio Department of Transportation
Gordon Proctor, Director
1980 West Broad Street
Columbus, OH 43223
(614) 466-2335
gordon.proctor@dot.state.oh.us

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ODOT's ''no-guns'' signs in PARKING LOT at rest stop where rape occured

Banning donors who happen to be exercising their right to bear arms for self-defense from its retail stores seemed alright with the leadership of the Salvation Army, which has posted "no-guns" signs at stores across Ohio. But a ban of a different kind has the Army howling, and hurting...

December 20, 2004
Business Week

The Salvation Army's Leaky Kettle
Just when the agency needs more cash, retailers are foiling its fund-raising strategy

These are tough times for the Salvation Army's bell-ringers. On Nov. 25, giant discounter Target Corp. began enforcing a longstanding ban that prevents charities from collecting donations outside its stores. Making an exception for the Salvation Army might force the chain to welcome other charities that don't sit well with customers. The move was a big blow to the nation's largest charity: Last year kettle-ringers outside Target stores collected $9 million, about 10% of the Salvation Army's holiday take.

Target isn't the only one. Rival Wal-Mart now limits the kettle drive outside its stores to just 14 days each year. Indeed, with a growing number of stores banning or limiting the Salvation Army and its once ubiquitous kettles, the charity finds itself in a serious fix.

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Letter to Salvation Army

Salvation Army reconsidering dangerous & discriminatory ''no-guns'' policy

A website devoted to covering the profession of "roadies" has published an exclusive eyewitness account of the Alrosa Villa shooting, as told by two road crew workers who were there.

Titled "The Heroes of the Damageplan Shooting", this recounting gives a detailed look at how two defenseless - as mandated by Ohio law - roadies and one civilian were killed (and two others injured) while charging and attempting to subdue Nathan Gale.

Click here to read the entire story from Roadie.net.

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Columbus nightclub: Disarmed CHL-holder watched helplessly as people died

The Cleveland Plain Dealer is reporting on another shooting at a retail store on the city's west side. But this one had far different results than the one at Tony's Deli, where a clerk was killed for not opening the cash drawer quick enough, and where a defenseless witness was murdered by a shot in the back while fleeing. Why the difference? Because this time, the store owner refused to be a victim.

According to the newspaper, the latest shooting occurred about 7:30 p.m. at George's Market at 10117 Detroit Ave. A man police believe was Jesse Buchanan, 19, of Lakewood, walked in with a gun, demanding money and threatening the five people inside. Nadim Shalamy, 71, of Lakewood, shot the robber in the head. Witnesses to the newspaper the robber had himself fired at least one shot.

"He shot a shot, and he missed, and my father didn't miss," Jeff Shalamy was quoted as saying. "If my father didn't shoot him, he would've killed all of them."

The newspaper reports police arrested two men they think were outside the store in a getaway car. The names of the two men were not released.

Police Lt. Linda Kaspar told the Plain Dealer that investigators will look closely at whether the two men arrested at George's Market could be among the three suspects still being sought in the two killings at Tony's Deli.

Related Stories:
Robbers murder clerk, chase down & kill fleeing witness (Toni's Deli shootings)

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Last year, the Centers for Disease Control released results of a sweeping federal review (started during the Clinton-era) of the nation's gun control laws - including mandatory waiting periods and bans on certain weapons.

The task force reviewed 51 published studies about the effectiveness of eight types of gun- control laws. The laws included bans on specific firearms or ammunition, measures barring felons from buying guns, and mandatory waiting periods and firearm registration. In every case, a CDC task force found "insufficient evidence to determine effectiveness."

Fourteen months later, another government study, this time by the National Academies' National Research Council, and again originating during the Clinton years, has failed again to find any evidence that gun control works: