Ohio's major law enforcement agencies calling OSHP to the table

4:51pm Wednesday, September 03, 2003

EXCLUSIVE: Must credit www.OhioCCW.org

Last week, OFCC was first to report that, due to Senate amendments to HB12 dealing with how one should carry a firearm, law enforcement agencies in Ohio are not in agreement on Am. Sub. HB12.

We also reported that the Buckeye State Sheriff Association (BSSA) had asked both the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) and Ohio State Highway Patrol (OSHP) to a meeting, the purpose for which is to get the major law enforcement agencies in agreement on this important issue.

We are now pleased to report that the Fraternal Order of Police has accepted the invitation.

When asked if Senate President Doug White supports the meeting, the communications director for the Ohio Senate Republican Caucus, Maggie Mitchell, told OFCC that White "supports any efforts that will get us a viable bill."

As previously reported, both the BSSA and FOP believe that making someone repeatedly handle, holster and unholster a loaded firearm is unsafe. These unsafe practices would be mandated as a result of Taft-sponsored Senate amendments.

The Ohio State Highway Patrol stands alone as the only law enforcement agency in Ohio that has endorsed this dangerous practice. Why?

We are thankful to the BSSA for facilitating this important meeting, to the FOP for agreeing to meet in the effort to find a solution.

Since the OSHP's stated goal is to "enforce the traffic laws and promote safety on the highways", and since Ohio's major law enforcement agencies' critical safety concerns specifically deal with the language the OSHP demanded the Senate insert, we expect the OSHP to come to the table.

To express your own expectations to the OSHP (politely please!) as a taxpayer, call 1-877-7-PATROL. You may also email your thoughts to the Ohio Patrol Superintendent Col. Paul D. McClellan. Finally, some may wish to to download an official OHP complaint form (.pdf file), which can be used to register an official complaint against troopers like Capt. John Born, who are putting lives at risk by telling persons that when attacked in their cars, they should just "drive off."

TONY GORDON DIED TRYING TO FOLLOW OSHP CAPT. JOHN BORN'S ADVICE

Tony Gordon wasn't the first, nor will he be the last

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