Concealed-carry limits often are impractical

April 15, 2004
Columbus Dispatch

While I can appreciate Mayor Michael B. Coleman’s concerns regarding concealed weapons on public property and city parks, I believe it is necessary to point out the practical reality of the concealed-carry law.

The law applies to every person statewide, and if every local city and municipality had the authority to pass its own regulations, there would be utter chaos.

If localities could add additional restrictions, a permit holder might commit several felonies as he traveled down Broad Street through Reynoldsburg, Whitehall and Bexley on his way to work.

The concealed-carry training requires that permit holders know what the state law is in regard to proper transport in a motor vehicle, as well as how and where they can carry a weapon. This much is already difficult enough, but to expect that each applicant know the law for every single city, village and township is an impossibility.

MICHAEL HUGHES
Columbus

Commentary:
Michael has got it right. He's done an excellent job of summarizing the General Assembly's intent when it put Section 9 into House Bill 12.

Columbus Mayor Coleman is crying foul, but at least he admits to the rule of law, and plans to lobby for change in the proper way - in the legislature. Officials in the cities of Elyria and Toledo have passed bans with full knowledge that they were violating the law, and their oaths of office to uphold it. Serious questions need to be raised about elected officials who are willing to knowingly break the law in this manner.

Related Story:
Section 9 update: OFCC successful in deterring several city ordinances

Cuyahoga County sheriff sued because his office is refusing to process permits until later

April 15, 2004
Columbus Dispatch

The ink is barely dry on the first conceal-carry permit issued in Ohio, as well as the first lawsuits filed in connection with the week-old law.

Columbus resident Josephine Lee has asked the Ohio Supreme Court to compel Franklin County Sheriff Jim Karnes to issue her a temporary, emergency conceal-carry permit and to accept her application for a regular permit.

Meanwhile, the Ohio Coalition Against Gun Violence has asked the high court to void the law and stop sheriffs from processing permits on grounds of "inadequate and incomplete procedures, funds and resources," Toby Hoover said yesterday. Hoover is executive director of the group, which is based in Toledo.

Court spokesman Chris Davey said the sheriffs who have been sued, including Karnes, have 21 days to respond.

Jim Irvine of Ohioans for Concealed Carry said the application process is going reasonably well in most counties. The organization, based in suburban Cleveland, has asked the Supreme Court to force Cuyahoga County Sheriff Gerald McFaul to begin taking applications.

McFaul has refused to take applications until late May or early June, citing construction in the sheriff’s office.

Irvine said in his lawsuit that House Bill 12 required all county sheriffs to start accepting applications on April 8.

"The Cuyahoga County sheriff is not doing his job," Irvine said.

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Try finding any actual gun safety training like this being offered by so-called gun safety advocates like Toby Hoover, the Million Mom March, or Americans For Gun Safety. You won't find it, because they don't offer it. The DDN now nows - the REAL advocates for gun safety are the law-abiding people who own them.

Safety at gunpoint
Concealed-carry course aims at gun handling

April 15, 2004

By Kristin McAllister
Dayton Daily News

SHARONVILLE | Chuck Rodenberg stood ready, both hands wrapped around the grip of his Ruger 9 mm pistol pointed down at a 45-degree angle.

Elbows and wrists locked, he's focused on the target 20 feet away, waiting for it to move. It does. In one swift movement, Rodenberg snaps up his arms parallel to the ground in a combat stance and fires two shots in four seconds — dead on.

The Clermont County man drops back to ready and waits to see if the target moves again.

"Keep your eye on the target, don't take your eye off him," instructor Dennis Lengle warns from behind.

Guns are serious, Lengle said. That's the tone at the concealed-carry course at the Great Oaks Police Academy. The levity in the room the previous two nights of classroom instruction was left at the door.

"Gun handling versus marksmanship, what's more important? Gun handling," Lengle said. "You must demonstrate the proper knowledge, skills and attitude — that's safety and how you act. Going out to the range once a year isn't going to cut it."

Standing in the center of the 15-member group, the 30-year FBI veteran and firearms instructor lingers over the words "firearm" and "gun." He avoids the word "weapon" because a concealed-carry permit may be the goal, but safety and responsibility are the lessons stressed.

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