HB347, the concealed carry fix it bill is on the House Criminal Justice Committee schedule for Tuesday, March 7 at 10:00 AM in the Statehouse, room 116 (Note room assignment has been changed from initial announcement).

The committee will be accepting a substitute bill at this hearing and it is scheduled for a possible vote.

Click on the "Read More..." link below for additional information.

By Gerard Valentino
In a move that surprised no one, the Columbus Dispatch commended Governor Taft for threatening to veto HB347 which fixes many of the onerous provision in Ohio’s current concealed-carry law.

From the story:

Because of two ill-considered provisions, Gov. Bob Taft wisely has threatened to veto the bill intended to "fix" Ohio’s concealed carry law.

The first would further restrict public access to the names of Ohioans who carry concealed handguns. The second would allow people to transport their weapons in their vehicles just about any way they choose.

As usual, the Dispatch Editorial Board left out several key issues in the debate over HB347. For example, no other state requires concealed handgun license holders to carry guns in plain sight while in a car. No other state puts such a silly requirement on license holders because it is ineffective and unnecessary.

Quite frankly it eliminates the one clear benefit of concealed carry which is that criminals don’t know who is armed. Additionally, the requirement makes it difficult for women to carry a gun while in a car. The term plain sight is also not well defined in the law, meaning honest citizens can be arrested when they have reason to believe they are in full compliance.

The Dispatch also failed to mention that when a law enforcement officer runs a license plate through LEADS they are alerted if a driver has a CHL. Even the Dispatch’s Editorial Board has the mental capacity to realize that means law enforcement has advanced warning there might be a gun in the car.

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

Feb. 26, 2006
Delaware News Journal

By Megan D. Lehman
In the debate over Delaware's concealed-carry gun permits, don't forget the difference between men and women.

The average man can physically overpower the average woman; this is a biological fact. The vast majority of violent crimes are committed by men. We women should not have to depend on the men in our lives for protection, nor can we expect police to be in all places at all times.

My ability to have a gun for self-defense is central to my concept of freedom and safety in a hostile world. Anyone who tries to take that right is trying to take the only tool that makes me the physical equal of a man.

For a link to the complete op-ed, as well as commentary by Buckeye Firearms (lady) Region Leaders Joey Lee and Linda Walker, click on the "Read More..." link below.