Although OFCC PAC's focus remains solely on Concealed Carry Reform, we've been asked to pass this information on by a very dedicated supporter.

If you live anywhere near Youngstown, you may wish to make sure your voice is heard. Please click on the "Read More..." link below for details on the latest attempts to ban "assault weapons" in that city.

The Toledo Blade has printed an excellent pro-CCW letter to the editor:

"While hunting in Africa I learned a lesson in animal behavior. Predators never tangle with a prospective dinner if it believes it might be injured in the process. A leopard hunting a small Thompson gazelle looks for another meal when the Thompson turns on a dime and lowers its head, prepared to fight with 8-inch spike horns. It’s easier to attack a hornless Thompson.

Concealed carry gives us Thompsons a chance against the local predators.

Why does The Blade believe that the citizens of Ohio are less responsible than those of 40-plus states that have concealed carry?"

Click here to read the entire letter in the Toledo Blade.

Buried in a Mansfield News Journal story covering the outlook on challenges facing state government in 2003 is a small but revealing segment about Concealed Carry Reform.

In it, Governor Taft is quoted as saying that he will join the Ohio State Patrol in opposing any bill that allows permit holders to carry their weapon in their vehicle.

This past year was a disappointment for Concealed Carry Reform supporters, but there is a silver lining, for which we owe Senators Finan, Jacobson, and Governor Taft an odd sort of thanks.

Thanks to their efforts to destroy HB274, we now know that in order to necessary to pass true reform, the General Assembly can forget about winning the Governor's support altogether, pass a strong law with a veto-proof majority, and then override the inevitable veto.

There is no reason even to consult with the Governor's office on new versions of the bill - Gov. Taft has made it clear he is not willing to support a concealed carry reform bill that contains even the smallest amount of reform.

»

• Read more
• 4997 reads

Upon it's formation in the summer of 2002, the first action OFCC PAC took was to evaluate and endorse candidates for Ohio Supreme Court. We recognized early in the the 2002 campaign season that the only hope for the Hamilton County suit challenging the constitutionality of Ohio's ban on carrying concealed weapons was to elect two conservative justices; to create a shift in the court to a Constitutionalist majority.

Thanks in large part to the efforts of volunteers and supporters of OFCC PAC, Ohioans succeeded in electing a new conservative majority on the court last November.

The Cincinnati Enquirer has printed a story which attempts to survey how this change may effect the Hamilton County case, among other key Ohio cases.

"A look at the Supreme Court's upcoming term shows a few cases that could show how the court's balance of power has changed.

The concealed weapons suit will offer an interesting test.

Filing two years ago in a Hamilton County Common Pleas court, plaintiffs convinced Judge Robert Ruehlman to throw out laws banning concealed weapons as unconstitutional. [A four judge appeals court unanimously agreed.]

The high court suspended that [appeals court] order and is expected to hear oral arguments sometime next year."

Click here to read the entire story in the Cincinnati Enquirer.

The Zanesville Times-Recorder recently published an opinion column written by Jim Siegel. In the op-ed, Siegel points out some of the more ironic aspects of the amendments the Senate passed while spoiling HB274.

Click here to read the entire op-ed.

The following was posted today to a public CCW discussion group by Phillip Shiflett:

"The following post illustrates that although State and 'local' gun control guarantee elderly people carrying arms in self defense face jail, the government can't guarantee their safety."

-----

(Dayton, OH) -- Dayton residents have expressed outrage at the latest area
robbery. Police say a woman in her 80's left her home to go to the bank but as she was walking there a thief pushed her to the ground and stole her purse. It happened Monday at the intersection of Wilmington Avenue and Patterson Road. The woman was hurt and taken to a local hospital for
treatment of minor injuries. Police say there were witnesses to the crime. Right now they are searching for a suspect.

-----
We need to remember that most of us do not fit the profile of 'prey' for criminals and that it's those that are disenfranchised by timidity, reluctant because they lack the confidence of youth or because of disability
don't perceive themselves capable of self-defense that need this legislation the most!

Mayor Jack Ford broke a 6-6 tie to repeal a sunset provision that would have caused Toledo’s handgun ordinance to expire Jan. 27. The vote renewed the ban on cheap and easily concealed handguns.

Mr. Ford said he expects to propose changes to address problems cited since the law passed in 1999, especially complaints that it discriminates against people who claim they need to defend themselves in their homes but cannot handle the large, heavy handguns that tend to meet the legal requirements.

Opponents of the gun ban pointed to the few arrests made by police as evidence that the ordinance was never needed. Police Chief Michael Navarre said eight people have been charged under the law, but only one since 2000.

The council also bid farewell to departing council President Peter Ujvagi (D). The council meeting was the last for Mr. Ujvagi, who intends to resign Dec. 31 to take a seat in the Ohio General Assembly.

Click here to read the entire Toledo Blade story.

National Republicans enjoyed unprecedented success in the Nov. 5 midterm congressional elections, but as President Bush scans the Midwestern political landscape for sitting governors who can help his 2004 re-election bid, Ohio’s Bob Taft is the last man standing.

Mr. Taft easily won re-election, in part on the strength of a big victory in Lucas County that top White House and gubernatorial aides hope will translate into substantial local support for Mr. Bush in two years.

Mr. Taft defeated Democrat Tim Hagan in Lucas County, winning 59 percent of the vote. Four years ago, he won just 37 percent here against Democrat Lee Fisher.

White House political advisers have taken note and have conveyed their interest in Mr. Taft’s performance in Lucas County this fall to local GOP leaders. Compared to four years ago, the governor improved his finish here by 22 percentage points - one of the best Republican turnarounds in an urban county anywhere in the country.

Click here to read the entire Toledo Blade story.

Ohio House Republicans spent almost $6 million to increase their majority to 62-37 for the upcoming legislative session, and on the Senate side, Republicans spent $4.6 million to increase their majority to 22-11.

Click here to read the entire Columbus Dispatch story (subscription site - paid access only). An archived version follows.

GOP spent heavily to boost majority
State races in House, Senate cost the party total of $10.4 million
Sunday, December 15, 2002
Lee Leonard and Katy Waters
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

Ohio House Republicans spent almost $6 million to increase their majority to 62-37 for the upcoming legislative session.

Post-election reports filed Friday with the office of Secretary of State J. Kenneth Blackwell showed that the House GOP spent $1 million after Oct. 17, coupled with $4.8 million spent earlier in the campaign that ended with the Nov. 5 election. House Democrats spent $1.2 million.

The Columbus Dispatch printed a story Monday summarizing some of the hotter issues that dominated the post-election session.

Of particular interest were comments regarding the General Assembly's failure to pass concealed carry reform, including but not limited to:

---> A mention of "Taft and his wife, Hope", not being wild about the concealed carry concept. (When did Mrs. Taft get elected to speak to the issue?)

---> Speaker Larry Householder stating that the House is already moving on pro-CCW reform momentum generated this fall, and that he thinks "we're in a position to pass it in February or March.''

Click here to read the entire Columbus Dispatch story (subscription site - paid access only). An archived (and edited to the CCW issue alone) version follows.

Lawmakers gravitate toward hot bills
Slots, conceal-carry, malpractice dominated postelection session
Monday, December 16, 2002
Lee Leonard
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

What makes one bill hot and another bill not?