The Warren Tribune Chronicle was one of the first of now four Ohio newspapers to have published the names of concealed handgun license-holders as though they were social pariah. For this act, the paper was awarded the "Bandemonium Award" in the July issue of the NRA's national First Freedom magazine.

June 27, 2004
Warren Tribune Chronicle

For proponents of Ohio's conceal carry law, we offer a brief history lesson on the Tribune Chronicle's position.

On July 16, 1995, we stated in an editorial, ''The Senate last week voted 26-6 to make Ohio the 43rd state to issue permits for concealed weapons. The measure now goes to the House, where we think it should be passed as well.
''We think the outright ban on concealed weapons was too restrictive. This bill will restore some freedom to Ohioans.''

Last year, when Ohio Gov. Bob Taft threatened to veto the conceal carry legislation, we published Taft's phone number and e-mail address in Michael Hoffman's outdoors column.

Later in the year, Hoffman wrote, ''I'd like to wish Gov. Robert Taft a clear look back at his campaign promises to approve concealed carry legislation if it ever reached his desk. He made them when he wanted people to vote for him. It would certainly be a shame if those who did vote for him because of those promises were left with the memory of them being broken.''

On March 28, 2002, after the bill was passed in the house, we said in an editorial, ''It is a bill Ohioans want, and Taft has a responsibility to sign it should it come to his desk.''

This year, on several Web sites and gun-advocate publications across the state, the Tribune Chronicle's position on the Second Amendment has been misrepresented.

This is because we regularly publish the names, ages and counties of everyone locally who applies for a concealed carry permit. This upsets some gun-advocates who have subsequently labeled the Tribune as being against the new law.

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

June 27, 2004
Toledo Blade

I was intrigued by Marilou Johanek's June 18 column regarding Ohio's new concealed-carry law.

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In the course of her ill-informed rant against this law she made mention of "obsessive nuts" and "misguided ideologues with aggressive tendencies." I think that I'll leave the name-calling to her.

What was most telling about Ms. Johanek's column was her assertion that Ohioans applying for a concealed-carry permit "will still represent only a fraction of the state's population." I can't help but wonder how many other minorities that "represent only a fraction of the state's population" will be offended by such bigotry and hatred.

TOM SUSSMAN
Rolandale Avenue

Click on the "Read More..." link below for another letter to the Blade editor on City of Toledo's "invalid" and unenforcable park ban.

Ohio has one of the highest rates of bank robbery in the nation. Certain banks disarm customers by hanging discriminatory signs banning concealed carry. The signs, which are often obtained from the Ohio Bankers League, have done nothing to deter robbers.

June 26, 2004
Columbus Dispatch

A would-be bank robber walked away empty-handed this week after two tellers simply ignored him.

A man walked into the National City Bank, 2700 Cleveland Ave., about 1:15 p.m. Thursday and handed the first teller a note demanding money.

The teller simply walked away, so the man took his note to a second teller.

The woman told him "No" and walked away.

None the richer, the robber, who did not show a weapon, left the bank muttering to himself, Columbus police said.

The man was captured on a surveillance camera walking out of the bank, said Harry Trombitas, an FBI agent working with Columbus police on the case.

Information concerning central Ohio bank robberies, including the picture of Thursday’s unsuccessful robber, can be viewed at: www.publiceyes.org.

June 26, 2004
Columbus Dispatch

Guard shoots man he says stole groceries
Shot fired into car after fight in Kroger parking lot

A struggle over a shopping cart full of meat led to the shooting of a man by a security guard at a grocery on the Far East Side yesterday.

Early this morning, police charged the security guard in the incident.

The man who was injured was in stable condition at Grant Medical Center with bullet wounds in his right forearm and chest, Columbus police said. They wouldn’t release his name last night.

Police said the security guard told them the man pushed the cart full of food from the Kroger at the corner of Gender and Refugee roads about 6 p.m. without paying for it.

The guard, identified as Roger Loesel, 35, of 6023 Crossgate Place, followed him out and confronted the man as he approached a car with a woman in it who apparently was waiting for him, said police Sgt. James Branam.

"Apparently there was a struggle," he said.

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

June 25, 2004
Akron Beacon Journal

Barberton man sought in robbery

AKRON - A Barberton man is wanted in connection with a violent robbery Wednesday night.

Ozzie M. Mannwright, 22, of the 1000 block of South Avenue faces charges of aggravated robbery, felonious assault and assault.

The robbery took place outside Onyxx Marketing, 1522 Home Ave., around 10:20 p.m., according to the Akron Police Department. Three employees were locking up the business when they were confronted by two men who ordered them to the ground at gunpoint and kicked them in the face.

The other suspect in the robbery was not identified. Anyone with information about Mannwright or his whereabouts can call Akron police at 330-375-2181.

Commentary:
Many businesses allow customers with CHLs to patronize their establishments, but have policies which prohibit employees from bearing arms for self-defense while at work.

Statistics show most multiple victim public shootings occur where firearms are banned. There are no credible studies that show increased dangers to businesses because of concealed carry, yet many prove the benefits.

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