The owner of Video Reply on Robinhood Drive in Willoughby, Ohio says being made a victim by an armed robber Monday, September 27 has given him a whole new outlook on self-defense in the workplace.

Adam, a former U.S. Marine, told OFCC that although he is a long-time gun owner, he and his business partners Brian and Pam had "never felt the need to exercise our right to carry."

"That has changed now," he added.

Already this week, Adam and Brian (a reservist who will be departing to serve his country in Iraq in January) have signed up for Concealed Handgun License training, and contacted OFCC to inquire about obtaining signs stating that patronage from CHL-holders is encouraged.

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"I can't even communicate how pissed I am...at myself," Adam continued. "I'm just glad I was working that night, as Brian and Pam usually have their baby in the store with them in a crib.

"I'm sick of [seeing] those 'anti' stickers," said Adam. "We would like to be added to
any list of establishments who welcome responsible licensed concealed carry."

Let would-be criminals in Willoughby take note - there's a new sign in the window of "Video Replay"...and inside you will find any number of employees and customers who refuse to be victims.

Download the Safe Alternative sign (.pdf) and Thank You letter to share with the vast number of businesses who have refused pressure from anti-gunners to ban guns.

View the complete list of Safe Alternative Vendors, who refuse to turn their stores into criminal protection zones.

Click on the "Read More..." link below to learn about yet another robbery at a "no-guns" business.

NOTE: This op-ed was published in the National Review Online just hours before the U.S. House of Representatives voted 250-171 to overturn the gun ban in Washington, D.C.

September 29, 2004
by John R. Lott Jr.

Citizens go unarmed in D.C. while pols are free to protect themselves

It is one of the benefits of being a politician. While handguns are banned for citizens in Washington, D.C., congressmen are allowed to have a gun for self-protection on the Capitol grounds. Well-known liberal politicians such as Senators Chuck Schumer and Ted Kennedy have armed bodyguards. The wives of politicians, such as Senate Minority Leader Tom Daschle's wife, Linda, also have bodyguards. Undoubtedly, these politicians and their families have extremely good reasons for this protection, but many other Americans, especially those living with the high crime rates in D.C., also feel the same way.

Later today, the U.S. House of Representatives will finally vote on whether to overturn D.C.'s handgun ban.

While these politicians have protection both in their homes and as they travel around in public, since September 24, 1976, other D.C. residents have lived under the nation's most restrictive gun laws. Police enforce a citywide handgun ban, and local statutes require residents to keep long guns disassembled, unloaded, and locked up. Yet, with a murder rate of 46 per 100,000 people in 2002, the District easily holds the title of the U.S. murder capital among cities with over 500,000 people. This was not even close to being the case prior to the ban.

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

---- Original Message -----
From: Julie S.
Sent: September 26, 2004
Subject: Woodlawn police

Late Friday (9/24/04) a Woodlawn police officer arrived at my job with a sign to ban concealed carry weapons. I walked out into the lobby as he was asking the operations manager for permission to place it on our door.

I immediately told the boss that he did not have to put the sign up. The police officer stated that "You do not want some citizen shooting 4 or 5 innocent people before shooting the bad guy." I love the assumption that a "private citizen" can''t handle a handgun, and I wonder if he believes the bad guy is just as bad of a shot?

Unfortunately after a small debate the police officer was allowed to put up his sign. After the police officer left I asked my boss why did he cave in. He told me that he wanted the police to patrol the lot a couple of times on the weekend and didn''t want a slow response time if anything did happen here. I was absolutely furious!! It is true that people believe that the police will not do their job if you do not go along with them. The police officer wasn't too bright anyway, he put the sign on the front window without finding out that we have 3 other doors and the one by the shipping department is the one that is used the most.

I came in today to find the sign taken down, but I wonder how many other businesses succumbed to Woodlawn police's scare tactics?

Julie S.
Cincinnati

This isn't the first evidence of Woodlawn officers fearing the wrong people:
Woodlawn sued for $6M
A 66-year-old man claimed in a lawsuit Wednesday that Woodlawn police beat him, sprayed him with chemical irritant and arrested him last year for parking in a fire lane.