OBSTRUCTION: Senate President White Issues Statement on Court Ruling

9:41am Friday, September 26, 2003

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, September 24, 2003
CONTACT: Maggie Mitchell
(614) 995-1280

STATEMENT BY SENATE PRESIDENT DOUG WHITE

In regards to the Supreme Court's decision in the concealed handguns case, all or part of the following can be attributed to Senate President Doug White (R-Manchester).

COLUMBUS -The Supreme Court today reaffirmed what I have always believed --
that the right to bear arms is fundamental. In the same breath, the Court
affirmed the authority of the state legislature in regulating the manner in
which weapons can be carried.

It stands that the current ban on concealed weapons is constitutional; but in my opinion, is not consistent with the will of the people of Ohio.

In June, the Senate, through the leadership of Senate Judiciary Chairman Steve Austria, passed legislation that would allow Ohioans to carry concealed weapons, while addressing the concerns of law enforcement who have sworn to protect us.

In light of today's ruling, I encourage the Ohio House and the Governor to renew efforts to work out their differences on the issue of concealed weapons and to find common ground on a bill that can become law. The Senate is committed to any efforts that would produce a viable bill.

Commentary by Chad D. Baus:

"Senate President Doug White (R – 14th District) speaking at a March 2003 US Sportsmen Alliance legislative reception said:

"I am a strong proponent of the right to carry. I do not own a gun. I served in Uncle Sam’s Army where I used a sidearm and the M-14. I understand the proper use of a firearm and the power of a firearm. I absolutely and totally, to the bottom of my soul, understand the rights of law-abiding citizens. I do not care how big a gun is or how fast it will fire; if it is in the hands of a law-abiding citizen it does not intimidate me. I cannot understand those in our society who are intimidated by law-abiding citizens. The Senate had a lot of work on the issue last year. If the House acts quickly, we will probably also act quickly and send a bill to conference."

While speaking at the same reception, Senator Steve Austria (R – 10th District) (who chairs the Criminal Justice Committee which amended HB12 so poorly), stated that "the Senate is expecting to act quickly. We want to have a bill that can become law and not die in a conference committee or be vetoed by the Governor. I expect we can get a bill out of the Senate."

TODAY: These Senate leaders' words about HB12 were far different than their deeds. Under Senator White's leadership, Senator Austria's committee filled the bill with poison pill amendments, the most egregious of which would prevent families from protecting their children in a personal vehicle, and would strip away affirmative defense rights (however flawed) that Ohioans currently have.

No where in Ohio legislative rules does it say that, after both chambers of the General Assembly work out a bill, one chamber should then do it's negotiating with the executive branch.

The rules call for the appointment of conferees from both chambers to a committee to work out differences in the two versions of the bill before sending the bill to the Governor for final consideration.

House Speaker Larry Householder appointed conferees on June 18, 2003. Senate President White is refusing to appoint conferees. He claims it is because there are not enough Republican Senators (including himself?) willing to vote to override a governor of their own party.

But the OFCC PAC has counted the votes, and we believe a veto override is possible. Perhaps Sen. White knows this, and thus continues his obstruction, unwilling to place Gov. Taft in the position of having to veto, or himself in the position of having to vote to override.

Like Bob Taft, certain Senate leaders have found it easier to claim they are proponents of the right to self-defense, rather than to act like it.

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