August 31, 2004
Toledo Blade

Governor addresses a mostly empty Madison Square Garden at 1:50 p.m.

NEW YORK - Addressing the Republican National Convention at 1:50 p.m. is like sneaking into Yankee Stadium at 2 a.m. and trying to steal second base.
It might be fun, but no one sees you.

But that's the time slot Gov. Bob Taft received as chairman of the Republican Governors Association.

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"I'm pleased to report that we currently have Republican Governors in 28 states, and as their chairman, I proudly announce to you that we are strong and growing stronger,'' Mr. Taft said to the packed Ohio delegation in front of the podium.

Most of Madison Square Garden, however, was empty.

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Ohio Republican voters fire shot (that should be) heard 'round the nation

Pro-CCW, Anti-Taft Protestors send a strong message in Columbus

Senator: Republi-can'ts 'run like Reagan, govern like Taft'

Ohio Poll: Taft disapproval numbers at 46%

----- Original Message -----
From: Baillie, Jack
Sent: Monday, August 30, 2004 4:28 PM
Subject: Ken Hanson article

After reading Ken Hanson's article "Friends don't let Ohio friends carry on a non-resident permit" which you posted on the OFCC site yesterday, I found his point to be well reasoned and right on the mark. As a result, I immediately made arrangements to take the training necessary to meet the requirements for my Ohio permit. I currently commute to Virginia in my position, but will return and take the required training over the labor day weekend. I'll make application at the Lake County Sheriff's office on 7 Sep, prior to my return to Virginia.

I originally intended to carry in Ohio on my Florida and Virginia permits, since they accepted my military training (24+ years)without any time restrictions (i.e within the last 6 years). But Mr Hanson makes a compelling case for support of future Ohio CCW reforms, and has convinced me to to do "what's right, rather than what's easy". While I'll continue to carry on my out of state permits, that will change after receipt of my Ohio CCW.

Please pass my thanks to Mr Hanson, and let him he has at least one convert!

Regards,

Jack Baillie

Related Story:
Friends don't let Ohio friends carry on a non-resident permit

Aug. 31, 2004
Akron Beacon Journal (click here for complete story)

Calls lead to knifing arrest
3 people frantically phone 911 about stabbing death of unidentified man in Akron

Frantic telephone calls to the Akron Police Department describe a Sunday night homicide as it was taking place and helped police arrest a suspect.

John Rebovich faces a murder charge in the death of an unidentified man who police say was stabbed about 11:30 p.m. in the 1000 block of Mercer Avenue in West Akron.

Akron police released three 911 calls related to the stabbing.

In the first call, a Mercer Avenue woman who said she was awakened by a disturbance told a police dispatcher that "someone is screaming and they're fighting up the street.'' She said she wouldn't go outside to investigate.

In the second call, another Mercer Avenue woman initially described the incident as an automobile accident, with one man possibly pinned in the vehicle. She said her husband was going across the street to help, and then the call turned frantic.

The woman yelled to the dispatcher, "Somebody got a knife,'' and for her husband to get back. A man in the background then said someone in the car had been stabbed.

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

Sat Aug 28 23:45:11 2004:

I wanted to give you an update on an experience with the Hamilton County SO while applying for a CHL.

I submitted the application without my SSN written down. The person handling the fingerprinting did not know this was acceptable; he had been told the Webcheck would not accept a submission w/o the SSN present -- that it was a "required field" for him to click "submit."

I produced a copy of Ohio AG Petro's notice about the giving of the SSN being optional, per federal law. After reading it with interest, he called a State agency, who let him know he could enter 000-00-0000 for the SSN and it would work (which it did). He was understanding, even though he tried to convince me to just put down the SSN at first.

Eight (8) days later I received the call that the CHL was ready to pick up! That's pretty fast, especially considering people have said leaving off the SSN will make it take much longer! Kudos to the HCSO for a professional and speedy job well done!

Thanks for your work for the people of Ohio,

"Solomon"

Related Stories:
Ohio Attorney General: Social Security Number on CHL application ''voluntary''

Gun law can't require Social Security number

Conceal-carry may violate a privacy law

August 30, 2004
CNSNews.com

Sunset of Assault Weapons Ban May Fire Up Gun Debate

(CNSNews.com) - The war in Iraq and the economy may dominate the fall presidential campaign, but with the federal assault weapons ban set to expire in two weeks, the gun debate is sure to intensify.

Peter Hamm, communications director for the Brady Campaign to Stop Gun Violence, said it was "premature" to predict the level of importance the gun issue would play in this year's presidential and national elections.

However, if the assault weapons ban, which took effect in 1994, is left to expire, Hamm promised that the Brady Campaign would try to make elected officials who allowed it to sunset "feel as much pain" as possible at the voting booths.

"The NRA, President Bush, and the leaders of Congress are making a serious political mistake if they let that ban expire," Hamm said. The American people "overwhelmingly" support renewal of the ban, he added.

Supporters of the ban say child and teen deaths from firearms have dropped 50 percent since the law went into effect ten years ago. The overall number of gun deaths, they claim, has dropped nearly 25 percent. But opponents have always argued that other gun laws are sufficient to prosecute criminals who use guns in the commission of their crimes and that across-the-board bans unfairly target law abiding Americans.

Kelly Hobbs, spokeswoman for the National Rifle Association, said Americans have concluded that the ban is "ineffective."

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"The majority of Americans do not support its extension, and that's why it will most likely expire on September 13th," he said.

Hamm said that while John Kerry has not spoken out enough in favor of gun control policies, he noted that Kerry came off the campaign trail and voted to renew the assault weapons ban in the Senate on March 2.

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

August 30, 2004
Miami Herald

By Benedict D. Larosa

Gun-control laws, like all ill-advised measures, have unintended, often unfortunate, consequences. This is especially true in the post-Sept. 11 environment.

Recently, Secretary of Homeland Security Tom Ridge upgraded the nation's alert status because of credible intelligence that several financial buildings in New York City, Newark, N.J., and Washington, D.C., are intended terrorist targets. Immediately, heavily armed, submachine-gun-toting government agents surrounded the buildings -- five in all -- and tightened security in the area.

Our founders' wisdom

What about other potential targets? While federal, state and local police were guarding these buildings, who was guarding the thousands of other potential targets nationwide? How long can this level of security be maintained at these five buildings? What if the terrorists wait until the extra security is removed and then act? What if they strike at unguarded buildings somewhere else?

This is where the wisdom of our founders comes into play. They advocated a nation-at-arms where everyone who wished would be armed. They went so far as to guarantee this right in the Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. As men of wisdom, intelligence and education, they knew that no one can always predict the type of threat that the nation might face. So they prepared for every eventuality by providing not only for national and state military (and naval) forces but also for an armed populace.

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

By Ken Hanson

So, you've decided that Ohio's license is too much of a bother to get? Why get a license from Ohio, and reward their absurd regulations, when you can carry in Ohio on your Florida non-resident permit, right?

Granted, Ohio's law leaves a lot to be desired, and there is a lot of work to come in improving Ohio's CHL. However, a large part of improving Ohio's CHL law is going to be in proving that there is a NEED to improve the law.

Like it or not, Ohio's CHL program is going to be judged, in large part, upon the number of OHIO licenses issued in the first year. Newspapers are already making stories about the 'low number' of permits issued, and gun ban extremists almost always makes reference to the 'vocal minority' when they are on a rant about Ohio's CHL.

If you are considering only getting another state's non-resident permit to carry in Ohio, please consider the following:

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

Complied from news reports by WBNS-TV and NBC4-TV in Columbus.

August 27, 2004

An 18 year old boy, who police say has numerous misdemeanor warrants out for past crimes, accidentally proved the falacy of gun control and rules against firearms in parks Friday.

Police said Andre Rayburn, 18, and his girlfriend were sitting at a picnic table at Krumm Park on the city's northeast side when Rayburn accidentally fired the shot from a pistol he was carrying in his pocket. The teen was hit in his side by the bullet.

Unlicensed possession of a firearm is against the rules of the park, and Rayburn was not old enough to obtain a concealed handgun license, even if he could have qualified.

After piecing together various statements from witnesses, police said that the shooting was accidental and that the shot was fired from a .22-caliber pistol Rayburn was carrying, Garcia reported.

"They just started tussling around in a friendly manner and then the gun went off," Detective James Day said.

Rayburn was in stable condition Thursday night at Grant Medical Center.

Police said they could file charges because Rayburn was not old enough to carry a weapon and because he had the gun in an area that does not allow firearms.

As Ohioans For Concealed Carry has been explaining to stubborn city officials in Clyde, Toledo and other Ohio cities, gun control efforts (including ordinances and signs banning firearms in parks) cannot protect Ohioans from those who care nothing for the rules of our society.

On the other hand, there is absolutely NO evidence that citizens who are trained and licensed to carry firearms for self-defense present ANY threat to fellow citizens in parks, or anywhere else.

Related Stories:
BANK ROBBER HIDES IN COLUMBUS PARK

11 yr.-old raped in ''hell''; otherwise known as a ''gun-free'' Toledo city park

More evidence of the need for self-defense in parks

Proof: Legislators right to protect CCW in parks, bike paths & many public spots

Jogger attacked on bikeway; suspect nabbed

Park flasher problem highlights needs for armed self-protection in parks

SIMPLE: Letter-writer understands; some Mayors stumped

Letter to the Editor: Legal license-holders not danger in parks

August 28, 2004
Akron Beacon Journal

West Akron resident charged in incident at door of her home

A West Akron woman is accused of pointing a gun at a saleswoman who knocked on her door.

Police say Kelly Maurer scared the solicitor, but Maurer says she wasn't threatening anyone and only took the loaded 9 mm to the door because she was afraid for her safety.

Maurer was charged with misdemeanor aggravated menacing for the encounter Thursday at her home in the 1200 block of West Sunsetview Drive.

She also faces a misdemeanor child endangering charge because police say they found the gun in close proximity to her 5-year-old daughter.

Maurer, 37, is free on bond. Her daughter has been placed with relatives, said Summit County Children Services officials.

The evening of the incident, Maurer was home alone with her daughter. Her husband was out of town.

"She felt that it was necessary for her to be armed under the circumstances,'' said Maurer's attorney, Lawrence Cook. "She had several incidents in which her security lights had gone off for no reason in the middle of the night. She was somewhat frightened.''

One startling event from earlier in the week involved a strange man who showed up at her door asking her to help him pray for his dead relatives, Cook said.

When the solicitor came to her door, Maurer did answer with her gun, but she didn't step outside, Cook said.

"It very quickly became apparent to her that this was merely salespeople doing their job,'' he said. "As soon as she saw that's who it was, she told them she was sorry and that she was not interested.... There were no threatening words.''

Police say the solicitor, a 19-year-old woman from Indiana, told officers she was afraid that Maurer was going to shoot her.

The solicitor could not be reached for comment. It isn't clear what product she was trying to sell Maurer.

Related Story:
Tale of Two Cities: Detroit woman kills attacker; Akron home invasion spree

August 27, 2004
Fremont News Messenger

General laws of the state cannot be ignored

The News-Messenger is making the same knee-jerk reaction that Clyde officials made when they passed their misguided prohibition of concealed handgun license holders in parks.

This paper argues that because you can ban grilling and loitering, you should be able to ban guns, too.

Using that logic, Clyde officials could refuse to recognize the Ohio driver's license or vehicle tags because they're a "Charter" government -- and could impose criminal penalties for those who tried to drive within the city limits without Clyde approval. Everyone knows their Ohio driver's license entitles them to the same rights statewide, and further that other states and even Canada offer reciprocity for those privileges.

Similarly, with concealed handgun licensing, the State of Ohio has implemented a general law that must be uniformly implemented and respected statewide and that has now gained respect and reciprocity in many other states.

If local governments could bow out of controversial state laws on a whim, our system of government would be pointless.

The City of Clyde has produced no evidence of a need for this ordinance. There is no evidence from the 45 other states, which currently allow the carrying of handguns, to suggest Clyde officials have a leg to stand on. We are left to conclude that their decision is based either on well-intended, irrational, unjustified fear of the unknown or a deeply rooted anti-gun agenda.

On the other hand, there is overwhelming anecdotal evidence across the State of Ohio and this country indicating that violent crimes against good, honest people happen in public parks regularly, yet randomly.

Secluded hiking and bike trails are the last place that government officials and anti-gun editors should suggest they know better than the law-abiding citizen when it comes to defending their own lives and families against random and unpredictable acts of violence.

Jeff Garvas, President
Ohioans For Concealed Carry
POB 25488
Cleveland, Ohio 44125

NOTE: This newspaper conducted an online survey asking its readers whether cities, towns and counties should be able to ban weapons in their parks. The results were overwhelming.

Click on the "Read More..." link below for another letter criticizing the City of Clyde for its unconstitutional actions.