In a Columbus Dispatch article about the expected progress of Ohio House Bill 12, Ohio Highway Patrol Capt. John Born reiterated the OHP's opposition to any bill that would allow citizens their right to self-defense in an automobile.

"We do not want a loaded firearm readily accessible to the driver of a car,'' said Born.

When presented with the fact that a firearm is useless in a pinch if it's locked up, Born responded: "If there's a dangerous situation and you're in your car, you can drive off.''

What follows are just a few of the many defenseless persons in our state who have suffered under John Born's idea of self-defense. Many Ohioans just don't have the luxury of just "driving off" when under attack.

Man says he was shot while sitting in vehicle

Toledo police said an Old West End man was shot in his car early Monday, February 17.

Antoinne Neal said he was in his car in front of his home at 3386 Glenwood Ave. at 3:42 a.m. when a man leaped from a vehicle and fired at him.

A well-written letter to the editor was published in the Toledo Blade Sunday, February 16.

The letter was written in response to the Blade's latest anti-CCW editorial, "No, again, to concealed carry", published last January 30.

Gary Schoenrock, of Holland, observes that that "the Blade is attempting to discredit and distort the issue of concealed carry legislation in the state of Ohio. Using invectives such as "misguided," "dangerous," and a "threat to public safety," the editorial completely ignored the fact that 44 other states currently recognize the right of its citizens to protect their property and lives with concealed firearms."

The complete letter can be viewed by clicking here, and scrolling down to the letter.

The Columbus Dispatch has published a lengthy and informative article about the expected progress of Ohio House Bill 12 in Sunday's edition. You need an account to access the Dispatch Website, but we've archived the story in the "Read More" section of this story block.

At the end of the article, Representative Ed. Jerse has finally said something we can agree with:

Rep. Edward S. Jerse, D-Euclid, an outspoken opponent of conceal-carry, said if the sponsors tighten the bill too much to get the support of the Highway Patrol and the governor, they could lose the votes of gun-rights groups.

"How strong the governor stands may determine whether the bill passes,'' he said.

FLASH:
CONSTITUTIONAL CHALLENGE TO OHIO'S BAN AGAINST CARRYING CONCEALED WEAPONS TO BE HEARD BY HIGH COURT

The Ohio Supreme Court has scheduled oral arguments April 15th in a lawsuit from Hamilton County seeking to overturn as unconstitutional a state law which prohibits the carrying of concealed weapons. Justices included the case (02-0585) on their most recent oral argument calendar covering the period through June 3, 2003.

Source: Gonger News Service - 2/14/03

Any stay of a local ruling that Ohio's law against carrying a concealed weapon is unconstitutional now will have to be determined by a higher court.

Friday afternoon Seneca County Common Pleas Judge Michael P. Kelbley, a Democrat, denied a motion filed by County Prosecutor Ken Egbert Jr. for an emergency stay of the decision in the case of a Fostoria woman who was charged with one count of carrying a concealed weapon. Kelbley said he didn't have the authority to do so.

A motion for a stay, as well as an appeal of the decision, was filed locally for the Third District Court of Appeals in Lima later in the afternoon.

Click here for the full story in the Tiffin Advertiser-Tribune.

Click here for the full story in the Toledo Blade.

A press release issued by Ohioans For Concealed Carry can be seen on Yahoo.com or the Crain's Cleveland website.

The full text can also be viewed by clicking on the "Read More..." link below.

LORAIN — Joan Bahnsen still had a red, swollen jaw Tuesday morning caused by a man she says punched her and then robbed her West 23rd Street bar the night before. It was the second robbery in two months at the 62-year-old’s Highland Grill.

Bahnsen told police she was tending bar just before 10 p.m. Monday when a man came in acting strangely. He asked to use the phone and Bahnsen replied there was no phone available. Then the man told her he had a gun.

“He said, ‘I’m robbing you,’ and I said, ‘Oh no you’re not — not again,” Bahnsen said. “I swung around, and he caught me on the jaw. I was half out of it. He hit me pretty hard.”

Footprints from 40-year-old Norman Wilkerson’s house led directly to the dumpster where a stolen cash drawer was thrown away, according to Patrolman Doug Smith’s report. Another set led from his apartment to where he was arrested.

“This gets a little expensive after a while,” Bahnsen said. “I’m just trying to run a business here, and you’ve got guys out there who won’t get a job or they’re smoking crack — whatever their problems are.”

Meanwhile, in a state that allows its law-abiding citizens to carry a concealed handgun for self-defense, a different outcome resulted when this Texas bar manager was confronted by an ice pick-waving robber:

Click on the Read More..." link below for the full story.

House Bill 12 has been added to the Criminal Justice Committee's agenda for two days in the first week of March.

On Tuesday, March 4 at 2:30 pm., proponent testimony will be heard in Statehouse Room 114. ARRIVE MUCH EARLIER.

THIS MAY BE THE ONLY CHANCE YOU HAVE TO SPEAK BEFORE THE HOUSE COMMITTEE.

On Wednesday March 5 at 9:00 a.m., opponent testimony, and interested party testimony, will be heard in Statehouse Room 116.
Citizens are more than welcome to attend, and will be permitted to offer testimony at this hearing. Please consider wearing your OFCC shirt to show support for the organization.

Click on the "Read More..." link below for more.

2:45 p.m. 2/14/03 - The motion has been denied. Click here for the full story.

TIFFIN - Seneca County's prosecutor has taken the first step in appealing a decision that made Ohio's law against carrying a concealed weapon unconstitutional in the county.

County Prosecutor Ken Egbert Jr. filed a motion Thursday afternoon in Seneca County Common Pleas Court asking Judge Michael P. Kelbley for an emergency stay on the decision he issued Tuesday declaring the law unconstitutional.

"I feel compelled to ask the trial court first," Egbert said.

A hearing on the matter is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. today.

Click on the "Read More..." link below for more.

AKRON - Three men wielding knives and a handgun robbed a Johnston Street market Tuesday, Akron police said.

The robbers made employees at Three Olives Market lie on the floor, and ordered one worker to open the cash register and hand over money, police said. No one was injured in the holdup, which occurred about 8:20 p.m.

Police continue to investigate. Three Olives Market, formerly Mary's Market, is in the 800 block of Johnston.

Meanwhile, in a state that allows its law-abiding citizens to carry a concealed handgun for self-defense, a different outcome resulted when this Georgia store manager's 11 year old daughter was held at gunpoint:

Click on the Read More..." link below for the full story.