Zanesville City Council avoids Section 9 violation, but still acts to disarm employees. Earlier discussions had included possibility of a wider ban.

March 9, 2004
Zanesville Times-Recorder

ZANESVILLE -- Zanesville police officers will be the only city employees carrying firearms on the job, as the result of an ordinance passed Monday night by city council.

The measure was required in light of the state's recent passage of a concealed carry law, which takes effect April 8. The portion limiting weapons on the job to police officers is an addition to the employment policy in the city employee handbook.

Also part of the state law is a requirement to post signs on all city property where weapons are prohibited.

There was no discussion on the bill, other than a question from Council Member Jack Humm, who asked how many signs will be necessary and how big they will have to be. Service Director Mike Sims said they are checking the state law for size and placement requirements and have only had some preliminary contact with sign companies about possible cost.

The signs will state, "Unless otherwise authorized by law, pursuant to the Ohio Revised Code, no person shall knowingly possess, have under the person's control, convey, or attempt to convey a deadly weapon or dangerous ordnance onto these premises."

Related Story:
Zanesville City Council latest to consider illegally banning CHL-holders

Passerby's heroics key to rescue
MANSFIELD -- A passing motorist armed with a pocket knife, a fire
extinguisher and a cell phone might have helped save a life Monday morning.

Highway Patrol reminds motorists of importance of wearing seat belts
ZANESVILLE - "We're telling people the best thing they can do when they get in a car is to buckle up," Lt. Barry Donley, Zanesville Post commander. "You may not be able to prevent being involved in a crash, but you can prevent the extent of your injuries by wearing a safety belt."

Neighbor charged with stabbing man
CUYAHOGA FALLS - A man is recuperating from multiple stab wounds and his
neighbor is in jail following an altercation Thursday in Friendship Terrace
Apartments. When officers arrived, they discovered the victim, who is disabled and uses a motorized scooter, had been stabbed 15 times in the face, arm and chest.

Burglars attack homeowner
SPRINGFIELD - Two men who broke into four homes Friday — injuring a 64-year-old man in one — might have committed a string of 14 other burglaries since Feb. 27, said Clark County Sheriff Gene A. Kelly. "These are cold-blooded, violent individuals," Kelly said.

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We don't wear seatbelts because we expect to crash. We don't install fire extinguishers because we plan on a fire. We all know that car crashes and house fires can turn out much differently without taking these common sense precautions. Why are some unwilling to advocate these same logic when it comes self-defense?

Changing a couple of Trooper Donely's words about seatbelts could offer advice that would save many lives:

"You may not be able to prevent being involved in a [violent attack], but you can prevent the extent of your injuries by [carrying a firearm]."

Buried in an extensive, 4000+ word Washington Post expose about the Ohio sniper, one truck driver is noted for his suggestion that Ohio's new CHL-law may assist in bringing the sniper to justice:

"He's a crazy guy. Got some mental problems. He's mad at authority," Brian Baucum, 38, a driver for the Central Beverage Group, was saying the other morning, sitting in the driver's seat of his truck near City Hall in Grove City.

The state of Ohio has passed a law that goes into effect in April granting citizens the right to carry weapons. Baucum figures the law just might serve to bring the shooter down. "Somebody's gonna hurt him. With them passing the concealed-weapons law, someone will shoot him."

With recent attempts by the media and gun ban extremists to tie Ohio's concealed carry debate to the sniper, that the (typically liberal) Washington Post published these comments is noteable.

Click here to read the Post's extensive story, entitled "In Ohio, a Fear That Hits Home".

Related Story:
Op-Ed: Ohio sniper and disarmed populace

March 8, 2004
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

GREENE COUNTY, OH - The Greene County Recreation, Parks and Cultural Arts Department has partnered with Stamper's Boat Barn of Miamisburg, the Greene County Criminal Justice Training Academy, and the Greene County Career Center to bring you another FREE informational seminar on the Concealed-Carry Firearm Law of Ohio.

Scheduled for Wednesday, March 31 at 7 PM at Benner Field House, located at 425 Edison Boulevard in Xenia, this seminar is said to be a "factual interchange" featuring information on permit issuance, traffic stops with weapons in the vehicle, general information on House Bill 12, weapon information in general (facts and myths), kinds of weapons that are right for you, and finding the right facility and quality instructor for training.

Guests will include: Ohio State Senator Steve Austria, Greene County Judge Susan Goldie, members of the firearm industry, Mr. David Spaulding and other members of the Greene County Career Center, as well as officers from the Greene County Sheriff's Office. For more information or questions, please call 937-562-7440.

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Commentary:
Senator Steve Austria, voted for House Bill 12 each time he had the opportunity. Unfortunately, he also chaired the committee which inserted some of the most objectionable provisions into the law. OFCC succeeded in getting the worst of them - carjacker protection - out of the final law. That provision, which would have prevented parents from protecting their children while driving, was one for which Sen. Austria had expressed special pride. Senator Austria is seeking re-election this year. For more information, click here.

OFCC received two donations this week in memory of Zane Wilson. May his memory live in the free exercise of the rights he took up arms to protect no less than TWO times in his life. The following was adapted from a March 4 Columbus Dispatch story.

3 men charged in gun-store slaying
Clintonville shop owner shot, injured attacker, police say

Zane Wilson, 74, was shot and killed on February 27 in his store, Zanes Gun Rack, 4167 N. High St. in Columbus, but not before returning fire and wounding one of his three attackers.

In the days that followed, police arrested Clifford Morefield, 18, Robert A. Oliver, 18, and Jamel Curtis, 21, all of Columbus. Charges against the men include aggravated murder and aggravated robbery.

Police said Wilson, a gunner’s mate on a battleship during World War II, returned fire and hit Morefield in the shoulder.

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