The coming weeks will tell whether a national trend toward 'stand your ground' self-defense legislation goes on to shape debate in the Ohio primary race and the remaining 126th General Assembly. Ohio is not among the 22 states presently weighing measures that relieve potential victims of the "duty to retreat," a position upheld by many state supreme courts, and that instead empower citizens to defend themselves and others with deadly force, both in the home and in the marketplace. Such a measure is already in place in Florida, and is currently under review in all states contiguous to Ohio.

Initial efforts in Florida have been supported by the National Rifle Association (NRA) and opposed by the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence, named after the former press secretary to Ronald Reagan who was injured in an attack on the president. Stand-your-ground laws generally allow individuals to vigorously defend themselves from a perceived life-threatening situation, and in some cases grant the apparent victim criminal immunity from collateral injury to bystanders.

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Taft takes issue with 2 proposed changes to conceal-carry law

The Columbus Dispatch is reporting that Ohio Governor Bob Taft, owner of the worst approval rating in the nation at 19%, has threatened to veto HB347 if it allows concealed carry in cars or changes the media access loophole.

From the story:

Supporters say the bill will close loopholes and clean up the state’s nearly 2-year-old gun law, and it should pass out of a House committee by the end of March, said Rep. Robert E. Latta, R-Bowling Green, the committee chairman.

But the governor won’t go along with two proposed changes: altering how guns must be carried in vehicles and restricting journalists’ access to the names of those with conceal-carry permits.

"The governor would be opposed to any change in those provisions," spokesman Mark Rickel said.

"The position remains the same as it did two years ago. Those were two very key provisions to his approval of the legislation and he does not want them to be changed."

Taft’s decision to keep his misguided opinion on how guns can be carried in cars proves once again that he is out of touch with the average Ohioan and also that he is not a friend to gun owners.

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