When the idea to amend House Bill 9 (a media-backed open records bill) to protect the privacy of Ohio concealed handgun licenseholders was first proposed in committee by Rep. Bill Seitz in March of 2005, one would have thought the sky was falling. The Wicked Witch of the Ohio Media, as I termed it at the time, shrieked as if she were melting.

Just a month later, the not-so-grand old lady breathed a sigh of relief when Seitz withdrew his amendment, purportedly under threat of a Taft veto.

The media thought it had won the day. But what a difference a year makes.

On March 15, 2006, under the strong leadership of Speaker Jon Husted, the full House voted 93-1 to pass Amended House Bill 9, which includes language that will protect the privacy of CHL-holders. The bill is now under consideration in the Ohio Senate.

Much writing about was done at the time, and judging by a story in the Canton Repository last weekend, they aren't nearly done.

Click the 'Read More' link for more.