Public trust and the "RIGHT TO KNOW": Should background checks be given to reporters? Should there be a public records registry letting concerned citizens known if an Ohio reporter lives in their neighborhood? Do we have the ability to choose not to share space with the Ohio media elite?

February 28, 2004
Cincinnati WCPO (ABC) TV

WCPO Employee Arrested

A well-known employee of WCPO has been arrested.

Stephen Hill, a reporter for Channel Nine since 1989, was arrested Friday night on eight counts of unlawful sexual conduct with a minor.

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

February 27, 2004
Cincinnati WCPO (ABC) TV

Ohio Attorney General Works To Clarify Concealed Carry Law

When Ohio's concealed weapon law kicks in there are going to be plenty of places you can not carry a gun.

It is likely that list is going to include a lot more places than those you have already heard about.

The law restricts guns from places like schools, libraries and where alcohol is served.

A group of people in Butler County learned Friday they too have the right to keep guns off their property.

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

To believe gun ban extremists, stories like this don't happen.

February 26, 2004
Bucks County Courier Times

A senior citizen using the men's room yesterday at a popular Middletown eatery was approached by a would-be robber waving a knife. The potential victim responded by pulling out his own weapon - a handgun.

A thin, white male between 25 and 30 years old tried to rob the 68-year-old Langhorne man about 9:30 a.m. at the Great American Diner and Pub, 1201 E. Lincoln Highway, Middletown Sgt. Ken Mellus said.

The Langhorne man is licensed to carry the gun, police said. No shots were fired and the suspect fled.

Related Stories:
74 year-old Dayton Daily News paper carrier shot in carjacking

The irony would be humorous if it wasn't so deadly serious. This elderly man's employer, the Dayton Daily News, has worked for years to prevent the restoration of his Constitutional right to defend himself, and they continue to do so today.

94-year-old Toledoan attacked on way to church: ''We are so helpless''

More Senior Citizens Armed with Guns

Questions remain on concealed carry

February 25, 2004
Mt. Vernon News

MOUNT VERNON — In the wake of the recent passing of the concealed carry law (H.B. 12), many questions still remain. For instance, when exactly will one be able to apply for a permit? How much training does one need, and where is it available?

The concealed carry law officially goes into effect on April 8. However, the public will not be able to apply for permits until approximately 60 days after that date. The Ohio Attorney General’s office has 30 days after April 8 to submit a set of rules that will govern the permit process. After these rules are submitted and approved by the Joint Committee on Agency Rule Review, the OAG has 30 days to make application forms, instructional pamphlets and license forms available to county sheriffs.

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

Incumbent's campaign emphasizes experience

Feb. 25, 2004
Akron Beacon Journal

Three Democrats are challenging Rep. Mary M. Cirelli in Tuesday's primary.

Cirelli, a Canton Democrat, became the 52nd District's representative in 2000. She is being challenged by William J. Healy II, Craig Massey and Thomas L. Robinson for the chance to face Republican Mandwel D. Patterson in November.

Cirelli said her experience -- she began as the Ward 3 councilwoman in 1984 and has been involved in politics since -- is one of her greatest strengths.

"I think, as government entities, we need to learn to do more for less. I believe in the best bang for the buck,'' Cirelli said.

Two of Cirelli's opponents said she has done little to fight the area's lack of growth and job loss.

"She basically has been able to achieve nothing for this area,'' Healy said. He said he believes the district isn't taken seriously in Columbus with Cirelli as the representative.

Healy, 42, stressed that he is approaching the race like a job interview, where candidates should be judged on their "resume.''

While he has not held political office before -- he lost a bid for Canton mayor last year -- Healy said that his background (which includes degrees in business and marketing) makes him a strong candidate.

Commentary:
Perhaps the real reason Cirelli is opposed by Democrats in this primary is because of her strong, principled votes on issues such as concealed carry reform, which are not always given the proper attention by Democrats.

Mary Cirelli is under attack for supporting your rights, by others in her own party. She has earned OFCC PAC's endorsement in the 2004 Democrat primary, and she deserves the support of pro-self-defense Democrats in House District 52 (part of Stark County).

See all the OFCC PAC 2004 Primary Election endorsements!

Honestly, are the editors of Ohio's major newspapers COMPLETELY bankrupt when it comes to journalistic integrity?

For a look at what an agenda-driven newspaper does when liberal activist groups like Americans for Gun "Safety" release "findings":

See the Columbus Dispatch:
February 20, 2004: Right to know: Barring public access to federal data on guns is outrageous move
January 13, 2004: 2 city gun stores among leaders in sales to criminals, group says

or see the Toledo Blade:
February 24, 2004: Secrecy and guns

or see the Cleveland Plain Dealer:
February 24, 2004: Crime guns traced to shows, study says

or see the Akron Beacon Journal:
February 26, 2004: As ordered by the gun lobby

For a look at what a RESPONSIBLE newspaper does when liberal activist groups like Americans for Gun "Safety" release "findings", Ohioans are forced to look to Texas:
Houston Chronicle: Concerns about gun stores misguided

Related Stories:
Wolf in sheep's clothing releases study on Ohio

Rotten Apples and Sour Grapes

CAN WE TRUST REPORTERS?

OFCC announces establishment of Ohio Media Monitoring Task Force

February 24, 2004
Toledo Blade

Apparently still stinging from snatching defeat from the jaws of victory, the Ohio Coalition Against Gun Violence is again attempting to wield its influence regarding the issue of concealed carry.

Although displaying remarkable tenacity in its fight for a lost cause, the OCAGV authorized a press release on Feb. 13 encouraging all that "If you see someone with a gun, continue to assume their activity is suspicious. Call law enforcement to investigate and leave the area."

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

Attorney general must print material; sheriffs may not have staff for permits

February 23, 2004
Columbus Dispatch

While the state attorney general’s office wrestles with the complicated conceal/carry law for its advent April 8, proponents and opponents are waging an Internet battle to try to influence how it plays out.

Anti-gun groups are lobbying businesses to ban handguns, which is allowed under the controversial law passed by the legislature Jan. 7. The Ohio Coalition Against Gun Violence Web site allows Ohioans to download a "Weapon Free Zone" poster that can be used at a private business.

Not to be outdone, Ohioans for Concealed Carry has beefed up its Web site with information on how to get a permit. The site also has articles rebutting opponents’ attempts to minimize concealed handguns.

Robert A. Cornwell of the Buckeye State Sheriffs Association says his group is helping train county sheriffs for an anticipated rush to get permits when it comes time to receive applications.

"Although the bill is effective April 8 . . . we may not be able to meet that date," Cornwell said. He explained that sheriffs can’t start taking applications until they receive all the materials from the office of Attorney General Jim Petro and the Ohio Peace Officer Training Commission, which is preparing the forms and a pamphlet that is required reading.

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

Ohio's businesses have NO business infringing on their employees' and customers' right to bear arms for self-defense.

Police seek 2 men who beat, robbed lawn-service owner

February 24, 2004
Columbus Dispatch

A robbery in Blendon Township is the crime of the week in the Crime Stoppers program.

On Feb. 15, the owner of McLain’s Lawn Service, 6161 Westerville Rd., surprised two men stealing rock salt. The men beat the owner with a blunt object, and kicked and hit him.

They then stole the owner’s cell phone and drove away in a white box truck with a flat-nose cab that had a "Public Storage/Rental" sign on the side.

Crime Stoppers is offering up to $2,000 for information received by March 3 that leads to an arrest and indictment. Information received after that could yield a lesser reward. Call 614-645-TIPS (8477).

Akron man carrying virus accused of sexual assault mistakenly let out of jail

Feb. 24, 2004
Akron Beacon Journal

An HIV-infected Akron man accused of raping a man and beating another was mistakenly released from the Summit County Jail almost two weeks ago.

So far, sheriff's deputies have been unable to locate Patrick C. Geiger, 35, who was allowed to leave the county jail Feb. 13 on a signature bond.

Deputies who released Geiger were apparently unaware he was supposed to be held under a $50,000 bond due to his arrest in a second case.

Geiger was charged with kidnapping and felonious assault in connection with an incident on Feb. 10 when he allegedly kidnapped a 42-year-old man from his apartment complex and assaulted him, puncturing his lungs, fracturing his ribs and bruising his torso.

He was arraigned in Akron Municipal Court on Feb. 11 on the second offense and Judge Annalisa Stubbs Williams set bond at $50,000.

The victim in the August case called Geiger's release from jail ``absolutely, utterly appalling'' and blamed it on a ``lack of professionalism'' in the county legal system.

Court records indicate that Geiger has tested positive for HIV, the virus that causes AIDS.

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``I don't want him out. I want him behind bars. I want him behind bars because of what happened to me. There was never anything safe, sane or consensual about what happened to me,'' the man said.

``It has been a tooth-and-nail fight through the whole thing for me to have him kept behind bars, where he belongs. It took a month and a half before they even let me sign the charges.

``And now for him to be out on bond, after there has been another victim while he was on house arrest, is absolutely, utterly appalling. I'm just completely appalled at the lack of professionalism in the legal system and the incompetence.

``This guy is extremely dangerous. He's going to kill somebody. There shouldn't be any bond.''

Click here for the entire story from the Akron Beacon Journal.

Commentary:
According to the 2003 National Crime Victimization Survey, 93% of violent crimes against innocent citizens last year were carried out without the criminal use of a firearm. 96% of rapes and 75% of robberies were committed by criminals without firearms. So why is the anti-gunners' answer to violence is to make it more difficult for law-abiding citizens to obtain firearms, or the right to bear them for self-defense?

Related Story:
Port Clinton rapist prompts ''Safety Awareness Rally''