By Chad D. Baus

On December 4, I wrote an article drawing attention to two editorials in the Cleveland Plain Dealer.

In the first editorial, dated August 7, the editorial board endorsed the idea of statewide preemption of local gun laws, saying:

This page continues to look skeptically on concealed carry, but consistency in the form of statewide, uniform standards makes more sense than a confusing patchwork of local contradictions.

Less than four months later, Plain Dealer editors reversed themselves, without noting or explaining the reversal:

By taking away local governments' ability to regulate the sale and possession of guns, the legislature tramples the principle of home rule more egregiously than ever.

In my op-ed questioning the reversal, I noted that the statewide preemption language in HB347 is the exact same language contained in the bill on August 7, and invited readers to ask the Plain Dealer to explain their seemingly irrational behavior.

Though I'm not certain there is much in the way of an explanation, a reader of this website submitted a response to his inquiry from Plain Dealer Deputy Editorial Director Kevin O'Brien. Mr. O'Brien's answers prompted me to write him about his comments, and a lively exchange ensued.

The Elyria Morning Journal is reporting that Elyria city officials "aren't quite sure how the state's new gun legislation will affect their local ordinance banning concealed weapons in city parks, but they're pretty sure it should be Elyrians making those decisions, not Columbus legislators."

From the story:

''This is another case of the state legislature in Columbus thinking that they know better than people in their own communities,'' said Elyria Mayor Bill Grace. ''I think cities should be given that opportunity to do what they feel is in their best interest.''

Law Director Terry Shilling said he hadn't yet gotten a chance to read the bill, and couldn't comment about how it would affect the city's local ban.

''I don't know what the great state legislature of Ohio did, and I do not understand why they did it,'' said Shilling.

He did say the ban could be ''subject to non-validity.''

Amidst the whining, Shilling admitted to the newspaper that Elyria's ban on carrying concealed weapons in city parks, passed by City Council in 2005, doesn't have any penalty or enforcement provision attached to it. And Police Chief Mike Medders said the department hasn't received any complaints or taken any actions to enforce the ban since it was enacted a year ago.

City officials in Dayton are telling a similar story.

Buckeye Firearms Association Legislative Chair Ken Hanson recently attend Blackwater USA’s 5 day pistol/carbine class.

While attending class, Ken kept a blog of his experiences. Since most visitors to this site take training very seriously, we thought you would enjoy his ramblings.

Ken's five day experience will be published on this website on Tuesdays and Thursdays through the end of the month.

Click on 'Read More' for the first installment.