By Chad D. Baus

In the days leading up to passage of Ohio's concealed carry law in 2004, everyone was talking about the fact that there is no law in Ohio prohibiting the practice of "open carry" (carrying a firearm in plain sight).

Despite warnings from pro-gun activists that attempting to openly carry a firearm would lead to harrassment or even arrest, gun ban extremists and their media allies repeatedly argued that no concealed carry law was needed, citing the ability of Ohio citizens to openly carry firearms with no training or licensure mandates.

In Klein vs. Leis, et. al., the Ohio Supreme Court echoed the CCW opponents' arguments, ruling that while Ohioans have a "fundamental, individual right to bear arms for self-defense", a 100 year-old legislative ban on concealed carry was Consitutional because the practice of open carry was allowed. The decision was the final impetus to passage of Ohio's new concealed carry reform law. Four days after the ruling was announced in September 2003, the first of nearly 20 Open Carry 'Defense' Walks was held. Several local and state officials, including then-State Senator and current Attorney General Marc Dann (D), participated in one of the demonstrations that occurred across the state.

Even though the potential trouble for persons who "open carry" has been well - documented over the course of several years, the Columbus Dispatch is just now discovering the problem, nearly seven years after the editorial quoted above smugly chided CCW proponents.

By Emily L. Mullin

With school violence on the rise and campus shootings becoming increasingly more common, some states are rethinking their gun laws. Instead of putting more useless restrictions on guns, many of these states are looking into the possibility of allowing people with valid permits to carry concealed weapons on school grounds.

Arizona State Senate Bill 1214, for example, would allow permit-holders of at least 21 years of age to carry concealed firearms at K-12 schools, community colleges and universities. Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, Tennessee, South Carolina, Georgia, Idaho, and Washington all have similar concealed-carry legislation pending.