In the past two days, the Warren Tribune Chronicle (Trumbull Co.) and Elyria Chronicle-Telegram (Lorain Co.) have begun punishing the citizens of their respective counties as a means of protesting Ohio's new concealed carry law.

Both news outlets published the names of every person who has been issued a CHL in the county.

The Ft. Wayne News-Sentinel recently considered doing the same in Indiana, but had the good sense to poll their readers on the issue. After receiving 3000 letters opposing the plan (95% of all letters received on the subject), the newspaper backed down. They expressed shared concern with readers who warned of the potential to expose former victims of violence who have gone to great lengths to hide from their attackers, and with those who warned that the list would serve only to provide a convenient shopping list for would-be thieves.

The Warren Tribune Chronicle and Elyria Chronicle-Telegram have no such respect for your opinion, nor for your privacy. Other Ohio newspapers, including the Cleveland Plain Dealer and Columbus Dispatch, have also been threatening to take out their frustrations by publishing CHL-holders' names since the day the law was passed.

Aside from these bitter, spiteful anti-gun editorial boards, the blame for the loss of these people's privacy lies squarely on the shoulders of Bob Taft, who actually had the nerve to try and score political points with gun owners when he finally signed the bill into law (after having fought against it for years, and having forced in some terribly egregious amendments, including the provision which allowed these newspapers access to the lists).

Rep. James Aslanides (R-Coshocton), the bill's sponsor, said in conference committee and during a short floor speech on January 7, 2004 that he would lead an effort to roll back the media access if the "privilege" is abused.

"If they abuse the privilege, we can cause them to lose the privilege," he declared, pointing out that the Pennsylvania Legislature struck a similar provision after a newspaper published a list of permit holders.

Sen. Steve Austria seconded this warning, adding that publishing the names of license-holders would be the exact kind of abuse they're referrring to, since publishing these names would threaten the safety of the very men and women who have chosen to bear arms for self-defense.

More to follow on this developing story...

Related Stories:
Taft supports not ''stigmatizing'' ex-cons; insisted on stigmatizing CHL-holders

Indiana newspaper hears loud voice of opposition to publishing CCW list

Ohio media: Rotten Apples and Sour Grapes

Cleveland Plain Dealer's past vs. present on firearms highlighted in obituary

Columbus Dispatch: 140+ years of anti-self-defense rhetoric

CAN WE TRUST REPORTERS?

Ohioans For Concealed Carry has learned that Cuyahoga Co. Sheriff Gerald McFaul has reversed plans to hold off acceptance of concealed handgun license applications until "the end of May", and will begin taking appointments on Monday, May 3, with the first applications being accepted on May 11.

McFaul had already shown signs of weakening resolve, having announced that he would accept temporary emergency license applications within days of being sued by Cuyahoga Co. resident and OFCC member James Irvine.

Not only will the news that he now plans to accept CHLs a month earlier than he previously claimed please residents of Cuyahoga Co., the news of Sheriff McFaul's reversal will also certainly be welcomed by sheriffs in counties that border his. They have had to bear the brunt of his inaction, since many Cuyahoga Co. residents chose to submit their applications to these sheriffs, who have been doing their duty under the law with competence and professionalism since April 8.

More to follow in this developing story...

Related Stories:
Cuyahoga County citizen files suit against Sheriff Gerald McFaul

Jim Irvine's Writ Of Mandamus Court Documents

UPDATE:
Kroger ''reexamining the issue'' after massive grassroots uprising

Headquartered in Cincinnati, the Kroger Company has years of experience with doing business in concealed carry states. It is likely that CHL-holders have shopped at Kroger-owned companies while armed on literally millions of occasions.

Several members of OFCC's steering committee were among those frequent (and armed) customers while living in other states, such as Indiana, Florida, Tennessee and Texas.

Although our initial search is by no means exhaustive, we have been unable to locate a single negative incident involving a CHL-holder inside a Kroger-owned store nationwide.

Despite all of these facts, Ohioans For Concealed Carry has learned that the Kroger Co. has begun hanging no-CCW signs in Ohio stores - starting in the company's hometown of Cincinnati.

Kroger stores in Madeira, Hyde Park, and Norwood are already posted, and at least one store manager is telling customers that the order came from Kroger Co. "risk management." It has not yet been determined whether this ban is being enacted by a Cincinnati division manager or is the first wave of a state-wide policy.

How else can Ohio residents interpret this move but that the Kroger Co. doesn't trust residents of its own state and own city to practice the same responsibility that has been exercised in their stores by residents of so many others?

We are unaware of any recent incidences in Ohio which would prompt this decision. In fact, quite the contrary - a recent shooting in a Canal Winchester Kroger (while concealed carry was still illegal) highlights folly of gun bans.

That which was demonstrated in this Canal Winchester Kroger, has been demonstrated in many Krogers across the county - criminals, by definition, do not care about prohibitions, and will certainly ignore, or perhaps even be drawn to, stores that advertise that their customers' have been rendered defenseless by company policy.

Concealed carry has been illegal in Ohio Krogers for the life of the company, and yet Kroger has experienced a large number of incidences of criminals committing crimes and victimizing citizens with firearms on its property. Does the company honestly think that criminals will obey the signs (which they could have put up years ago)?

Kroger operates 3334 grocery and convenience stores in at least 32 states under the Kroger, Ralphs, King Soopers, City Market, Dillons, Smith’s, fry’s, QFC, Kessel, Cala Foods/Bell Markets, Owen’s, JayC, Hilander, Gerbes, Payless, Food4Less, Foods Co., Fred Meyer, Turkey Hill, Kwik Shop, Loaf ‘N Jug, Quik Stop, and Tom Thumb brand names. Kroger also operates 440 jewelry stores under the Fred Meyer, Littman, Barclay, and Fox's brand names.

If you have a comment or question about the Kroger Family of Stores, they say they'd "like to hear from you."

Kroger's national customer service number is 800-576-4377 or 866-221-4141. Click here to share comments online.

Click here to view a list of other "business ban hypocrites" - and to see details of progress in the effort to treat Ohioans as they do customers in other states.

Related Story:
Signs come down at former hypocritical Business Banners