CLEVELAND, February 19, 2004 – Ohioans For Concealed Carry, Ohio’s largest grassroots concealed carry rights organization, has announced the formation of the OFCC Media Monitoring Task Force (mediataskforce@ofcc.net).

The organization, comprised totally of grassroots volunteers from across the state, will monitor Ohio's media outlets, documenting any instances of abuse of the public records provision in the state's new concealed handgun license (CHL) law.

"There are a few proverbial rotten apples in the media that are promising to spoil the bunch," said Chad Baus, OFCC spokesperson. "The Cleveland Plain Dealer, Elyria Chronicle Telegram and Columbus Dispatch have already indicated that they plan to publish lists of persons who choose to obtain a CHL. These editors need to understand that Ohio's law-abiding citizens do not deserve to be treated like convicted sex offenders."

In his floor speech before passage of the law, Rep. James Aslanides (R-Coshocton) said that he would lead an effort to roll back the media access if the privilege is abused. "If they abuse the privilege, we can cause them to lose the privilege," he declared, pointing out that the Pennsylvania state legislature struck a similar provision after a newspaper published a list of permit holders. The Task Force plans to submit a compilation of evidence of any abuses to Rep. Aslanides, and any legislator or committee empowered to make legislative changes to the Ohio CHL law.

"The recent debate over public records provisions in Ohio's concealed carry law sent the media into full blown fits about infringing freedom of the press and their self-proclaimed position as protectors of the common person from abuses by 'Big Brother'," observed OFCC Central Ohio Coordinator Gerard Valentino. "This begs the question - if the media is watching 'Big Brother', who is watching them? The sad, painful answer is that nobody protects us from the whim of so-called journalists concerned more with pushing their own agenda instead of reporting the news."

These editors claim they are acting "to give the rest of the public what the legislature denied it." Quite the contrary. By publishing these lists, liberal news editors will be denying a whole class of people (who will soon be proven as some of the state's most law-abiding citizens) something the legislature is obligated to protect - the individual right to privacy.

"To read the many complaints about the public records provision from the state's liberal media, one can't help but wonder whatever happened to their concerns for privacy," said OFCC PAC Chairman Jim Irvine. "That subject used to be a media favorite, but it seems to drop off their radar screen when it comes to law-abiding gun owners. We want everyone to know it hasn't dropped off of ours."

Persons interested in volunteering with the OFCC Media Monitoring Task Force should send an email to mediataskforce@ofcc.net, indicating where they live, and what news outlets they can commit to observing on a daily basis.

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Why we need the OFCC Media Monitoring Task Force:
Rotten Apples and Sour Grapes

CAN WE TRUST REPORTERS?

Ohio Newspaper Association advising members to compile lists of CHL applicants

OFCC's Larry Moore had the opportunity to interview Ted Nugent for a story to promote his appearance at Miami University at Oxford tonight. In addition, Larry Moore’s upcoming February 27 column Moore Outdoors will be featuring Ted Nugent.

"Bring your friends to Miami University," Nugent said. "We need to get the word out there. The truth is a beautiful thing. It is contagious. Everyone has an intellect. We need to inspire people to be more honest and more outreaching to find the common ground and bring a quality of life to all of us. Hunting, trapping, and fishing ultimately bring about biodiversity. These activities bring a focus to the air, soil, and water quality and wildlife habitat that sportsmen and sportsmen alone safeguard and improve upon in this nation of ours."

"If you are not allowed to carry a gun you are helpless. Being helpless is irresponsible. That is the message I try to get out. The bottom line is that I am a pretty funny guy so come out and enjoy me."

Click on the "Read More..." link below for excerpts from the telephone interview, including Nugent's praise for Ohio's Open Carry 'Defense' Walks last fall.

February 15, 2004
(New Hampshire) Union Leader

By BERNADETTE MALONE

NEVER DID I expect to wind up living alone, in a new area, with a violent acquaintance threatening me because of some perceived offense.

Never did I expect to ever need to carry my handgun to and from work in case that man tracked me down and physically threatened me.

So naturally, I didn’t have the paperwork I needed to defend my own life when I needed it most.

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

The City of Toledo has quite a history of discrimination against Second Amendment rights, especially when lower income residents try to exercise their rights.

According to the Toledo Blade, Toledo's controversial ban on inexpensive firearms (which was renewed in 2002 after a tie-breaking vote from Mayor Jack Ford), has been used for just one conviction since 2000. The ban has failed to staunch a homicide rate in that city which has doubled since the year 2000. What it has done is ensure that poorer residents cannot afford to purchase firearms for home and self-defense.

OFCC has now learned that bureaucrats in Toledo are planning to take their policy of discrimination against law-abiding citizens to a whole new level.

We are in receipt of an email which indicates that the Toledo Area Regional Transit Authority (TARTA), has decided to ban concealed handgun license (CHL) -holders from their stations and buses. No word on how they plan on keeping out the criminals who would threaten passengers while ignoring the "victim zone" signs they plan to post.

Click on the "Read More..." link below for more, and to read the TARTA email.