FINAL REVISION

House, Senate pursuing method to revamp concealed weapons bill

By CARRIE SPENCER
The Associated Press
1/7/2004, 1:16 a.m. ET

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Ohio would become the 46th state to allow carrying concealed weapons under a revamped bill lawmakers were expected to send to Gov. Bob Taft as early as Wednesday afternoon.

A joint House and Senate committee was set to work Wednesday on a compromise likely to include provisions demanded by Taft — disappointing both backers and opponents. The bill would then go back to both chambers for full consideration.

Gov. Bob Taft, a Republican, has threatened to veto the bill as it passed last month over public records concerns. The current version would allow reporters to ask sheriff's departments for information on permit holders on a name-by-name basis, but Taft wants reporters to have access to the entire list of permit holders by county.

The House voted 85-5 on Tuesday to rescind its earlier approval and send the bill back to the joint committee for changes.

Speaker Larry Householder, a Glenford Republican, said supporters don't like the disclosure provision, but compromise was the best way to get the bill into law.

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January 5, 2004
Toledo Blade

According to Ohio law, individuals may not carry a concealed firearm unless they can use the "Affirmative Defense." One of the provisions of this "defense" states that you must be carrying a large amount of cash to be able to carry concealed.

How much money must I carry before I am legally allowed to carry a firearm to protect myself in Ohio? The way the law reads, my life is not worth defending unless I have a lot of money. So basically, my understanding is that cash is worth defending, but my life is not.

DAVID VOLK
Blissfield

January 5, 2004
Toledo Blade

Masked gunman terrorizes church
Fear won't deter worshippers

If the robber had asked, the congregation of St. Stephen’s African Methodist Episcopal Church probably would have lent a helping hand.

But since they were forced to give him money while he had a gun pointed at the heads of two young girls, members of the congregation were in a less charitable mood yesterday.

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January 06, 2004
Columbus Dispatch

I have just finished reviewing the Local Impact Statement, as prepared by the Legislative Services Commission, regarding House Bill 12, which would allow Ohioans to carry concealed weapons. What puzzles me is why Gov. Bob Taft would oppose such a bill.

It is estimated that an additional $1.1 million in revenue would be added to the Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation each year for doing background checks. Additionally, county sheriffs could expect nearly $3.2 million in revenue as a result of license applications. This is an excellent way to supplement law enforcement without raising taxes.

Also, House Bill 12 allows for 90-day permits to be issued to crime witnesses and victims of domestic violence and others in imminent danger.

Most important, passage of the bill would increase criminal penalties for firearms-related offenses. The law would harshly penalize those who would misuse or falsify a concealedweapon permit with third- and fourth-degree felonies.

Firearms-theft penalties would be increased, and there is a presumption of incarceration for firearms-related offenses, including consecutive sentencing for firearm-theft-related offenses. Those already barred from possessing firearms would face increased penalties, as well. This law would send a message to the criminals who do use firearms that they will receive stricter sentences.

If Taft is serious about crime prevention and punishing criminals, he will realize all of the benefits this legislation has to offer and sign the bill.

MICHAEL HUGHES
Columbus

Up to now, there has been no discussion of the I-270 sniper on this website. But leave it to a gun ban extremist to try and link the two in a Cleveland Plain Dealer letter to the editor.

More guns don't make more sense

01/06/04

How is it possible that, as people die along Interstate 270 from gunshots, state legislators pass a bill making it easier to carry firearms?

Gun proponents argue that an increase in gun violence is a reason to have more guns - an irrational and dangerous argument. Yet they have managed to infect the legislature with their beliefs, and as a result, we all suffer.

Mark Cassell
Kent

Cassell, a Kent State University assistant professor of political science, should know better. While having a concealed firearm would not have aided any of these victims in defending themselves, these tragic crimes around Columbus are once again highlighting the absolute failure of gun control to prevent crimes like these from occurring.

In addition, these shootings once again consistent with findings that multiple victim public shootings occur more frequently in states where concealed carry is illegal.

What is even more ironic about Cassell's letter to the Plain Dealer is that the same paper once featured a headline, entitled "Gun backers are quick to spin every tragedy"

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Letters to the Editor: Taking a professor to school