Letter to the Editor: Gun-permit decisions out of sheriff’s hands

November 29, 2004
Columbus Dispatch

Franklin County Sheriff Jim Karnes told central Ohioans how he really feels about the new concealed-carry law passed in January.

In the Nov. 18 Dispatch article "Conceal-carry process clarified", he said: "You got to have a reason to be scared. Otherwise, I’m going to have people filing applications for an emergency permit that really don’t have a reason to have a gun."

I guess only the sheriff’s reasons are acceptable when it comes to owning a firearm. Try these reasons and compare.

First, Karnes must not be aware that the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that law enforcement has no duty to protect individual citizens because a person’s security is his or her own responsibility. Second, the Bill of Rights allows peaceable citizens to keep and bear arms without infringement from the government. Finally, Ohio’s concealed-carry law is "shall-issue" legislation, which means the permit must be issued to anyone who applies and meets the qualifications. Good luck, Franklin County!

Wayne Green
Lancaster

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