Over the past several months, OFCC's Do Not Patronize While Armed database has served as a useful resource for law-abiding CHL holders and
others across Ohio.

Users of the website can easily determine which businesses throughout Ohio have asked us not to visit them unless we are defenseless. These are listed as Criminal Protection Zones (CPZs) The database also lists locations that have decided not to advertise to violent criminals that all of their customers are defenseless and can be victimized with impunity. These are listed as Safe Alternatives.

A tremendous grassroots effort has educated several hundred business which initially were CPZs. Several hundred of these vendors, once fully informed, have removed the restrictions and now allow persons to
lawfully carry at their location.

Do you remember the 'others' I mentioned a moment ago? OFCC's Do Not Patronize While Armed list is also being used by Anti-Public Safety groups in Ohio. Several business listed in the DNPWA database have received letters thanking them for having signs posted. The logic behind thanking a location for endangering our families will be left for another discussion. What is logical is that we make sure that businesses that welcome honest Ohioans know we are appreciative.

Please visit the DNPWA list and locate a Safe Alternative in your area to patronize this week. When you shop, be sure to let the manager know why you choose to visit. Also if there are any CPZ's in your area, consider stopping by to talk to the manager about why they are posted. Direct
conversations with local patrons carry tremendously more weight then
letters from groups elsewhere in the state.

Any information on current CPZs or Safe Alternatives can be emailed to me at jeaton@ofcc.net or submitted directly on the DNPWA website. Also, remember monetary donations to OFCCPAC can be made by clicking here.

Sincerely,

Joe Eaton
OFCC Business Education Coordinator

August 5, 2004
Athens News

I see that you have published a clarification to the supposed "road-rage" incident involving Dr. Jeffrey McAdoo, and I want to thank you for doing so (The NEWS, Aug. 2).

I have very low regard for reporters in general, but the fact that you chose to publish this correction speaks well for you, in my humble opinion. Since I have only read the correction in the online version, I can only hope that you gave the clarification the same prominence that you gave the original story.

If not, the uninformed member of the public was left with the grossly incorrect impression that Chad Baus, and Ohioans for Concealed Carry by extension, endorsed a very disproportionate response to an unknown, and possibly non-existent, threat.

I can assure you that neither Chad, OFCC, nor the rest of us Ohio CHL holders endorse anything other than reasonable responses by all parties involved (including the police and prosecutors, if necessary) in evaluating events.

Jeff Smith
Cincinnati

Related Story:
Attorney: Witnesses located in road-rage case

August 05, 2004
Wilmington News Journal

Is concealed-gun ban at city park legal?

A local gun rights supporter says signs banning guns at a Wilmington park don't comply with the state's concealed-carry handgun law, and has threatened legal action if the signs aren't pulled.

The city law director, however, says the city plans to keep the signs posted at J.W. Denver Williams Jr. Memorial Park until a legal case in Toledo on the same issue is resolved.

Meanwhile, the view of the state attorney general's office is that a person with the proper license is permitted to take a concealed handgun into a government-owned park.

"Our interpretation of the law as it stands is that you can carry in a park," said Kim Norris, spokeswoman for the office of Ohio Attorney General Jim Petro.

Wilmington Director of Law Kathryn Hapner said Wednesday, "I believe that the position we're taking is consistent with the position of the city of Toledo that the park is a facility owned by the city."

Gun rights advocate Tim Inwood of Wilmington acknowledges the concealed-carry law prohibits handguns inside buildings that are owned by a local municipality. "They [city of Wilmington officials] can post the buildings in the park but not the entire park," said Inwood.

Hapner said she is a "big supporter of the [U.S. Constitution's] Second Amendment" to bear arms. But she said Ohio's new concealed-carry law does not permit a licensed person to carry a concealed handgun everywhere.

"I just think that we need to use some common sense. I mean, why would you want to take a loaded weapon into the Denver Williams park? I mean to me that just seems ridiculous," said Hapner.

Inwood, for his part, said, "As a father and a licensed CCW [concealed-carry weapon] holder, I would like to be able to protect my children in the event I am accosted by criminals in the park, but the mayor has illegally blocked me from doing so. I assure you this will not stand."

Commentary:
No matter what support she professes for the Second Amendment, Ms. Hapner's bias against guns is evident in her willingness to risk taxpayer dollars in ignoring the State Attorney General and state law on this matter.

Hapner wonders why people would need a gun in an Ohio park. Here are three recent reasons: