The OFCC PAC has learned that a bevy of former PAC Endorsees have been appointed to fill the Senate Judiciary Committee on Criminal Justice, where any concealed carry reform bills are likely to be given consideration.

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Newly-appointed Senate President Bill Harris (pictured as he currently appears in a reading promotion for Richland County libraries, holding Charlton Heston's autobiography, In The Arena) has announced his committee assignments for the 126th General Assembly.

Sen. Jim Jordan, an Urbana Republican and 2004 OFCC PAC Endorsee who is starting his second term, will chair the Judiciary Committee on Criminal Justice.

Other OFCC PAC Endorsees on the committee include Sen. Patricia Clancy (R-2004), Sen. Timothy Grendell (R-2004), Sen. Kirk Schuring (R-2002), and Sen. Marc Dann (D-2004), who is the committee's ranking Democrat.

Other pro-concealed carry committee members include Sen. Steve Austria (R), Sen. Kimberly Zurz (D).

Out of nine committee positions, only two - Sens. Dave Goodman (R) and Mark Mallory (D) - voted against House Bill 12, Ohio's concealed carry law.

Sen. Jordan sports a long history of pro-concealed carry reform votes, and verbally voiced willingness to override a Governor Taft on House Bill 12 in December 2003. Jordan has also expressed his frustration with Republicans who (as he stated in a Dec. 2003 Dayton Daily News story about a few Republicans' unwillingness to override Taft to get a concealed carry law) "sometimes forget that they're Republicans".

In a Peter Bronson (Cincy Enquirer) column on the subject in late 2003, Jordan wore his disdain for such behavior on his sleeve:

"They all run like Ronald Reagan and then get here and govern like Bob Taft.''

Committee Chairman Jim Jordan can be expected to be a strong leader for any concealed carry reform bills introduced in his committee, and Senate President Harris (himself a 2002 OFCC PAC Endorsee) deserves commendation for his excellent selection of committee members.

In related news, Rep. Bob Latta (R-Bowling Green), a two-time OFCC PAC Endorsee, has been reappointed by Speaker Jon Husted to chair the House Criminal Justice Committee, where House Bill 12 originated in early 2003. Other committee members are not yet available on the House website.

The bill that was passed under Latta's leadership was worlds apart from the final product, which was filled with poison pills in the Senate. Concealed-carry supporters can expect continued excellent leadership from Rep. Latta in the 126th General Assembly.

In the wake of the shooting of Officer Bryan Hurst in a "no-guns" bank, and on the heels of a growing number of victimizations in "no-guns" businesses, gun ban extremist Toby Hoover has finally felt the need to make a statement.

Hoover, who fronts what often appears to be a one-woman show at the Ohio Coalition Against Gun Violence, sent a blast email just hours after the latest Fifth Third bank robbery, conjuring up a new list of reasons why businesses should post "no-guns" signs. Perhaps it is what is now missing from her list that is most telling...

OFCC PAC Commentary (by Chad D. Baus) inserted in blue.

From: Ohio Coalition Against Gun Violence
Subject: What are those no weapon signs?
Date: Thu, 06 Jan 2005

WHY POST A SIGN TO PROHIBIT WEAPONS?

Is the sign for the criminals?

Recently a friend asked me if I thought the business she worked for accomplished anything by posting a no weapons sign. She commented that the criminals certainly were not going to care if there was a sign posted.

We have received email from permit holders saying the same.

We have always thought the reason to prohibit was uncomplicated but offer this for clarity.

Posting a sign on any business is:

1. Consistent with most employer's policy not allowing weapons at the workplace