Letter to the Editor: To veto CCW bill would breach oath

December 18, 2003

Gov. Bob Taft acknowledges that the recently passed concealed-carry legislation completely satisfies his public safety concerns. Nonetheless, he has threatened to veto this legislation because he believes that the public should have unrestricted access to concealed-carry permit applications.

When Governor Taft took office, he swore to protect the Constitution of the State of Ohio. That same constitution expressly and explicitly recognizes and protects the right of Ohioans to bear arms in their own defense.

It does not recognize or protect a right of the curious to review concealed-carry permit applications.

Furthermore, the recently passed concealed-carry legislation already insures the disclosure of the identities of concealed-carry permit holders choosing to exercise their right to bear arms.

The open carry in motor vehicles provision requires permit holders to remove their coats before entering their automobiles.

Every time they do so they will be openly displaying the firearms in the holsters on their hips.

Thus, everyone in close proximity to concealed-carry permit holders will know not only that they are concealed-carry permit holders, but also that they are actually exercising their right to carry a firearm every time they do so.

Governor Taft can veto the concealed-carry legislation only if he chooses to subordinate the constitutionally protected right of all Ohioans to bear arms to the idle curiosity of people who neither know nor come into contact with concealed-carry permit holders.

Having sworn to protect the Constitution of the State of Ohio, and the rights that it confers upon the citizens of this state, vetoing the pending legislation for such purpose would be nothing short of a breach of Governor Taft’s oath of office, and of his duty to protect the constitution of this state.

MARSHALL A. BENNETT, Jr.
Sylvania

Click here to read the letter in the Toledo Blade.