Buckeye Firearms Assoc. Legislative Chair Ken Hanson offers House testimony on 'Castle Doctrine'

Buckeye Firearms Association Legislative Chair Ken Hanson delivered testimony Thursday before the House Criminal Justice Committee in support of 'Castle Doctrine' legislation currently receiving consideration in both the House and Senate.

Following is the complete testimony delivered on behalf of Buckeye Firearms Association on HB264/SB184.

Testimony of Ken Hanson Esq.
Legislative Chair

Good morning.

As a municipal prosecutor, firearms trainer and gun rights activist, I am here to give you my thoughts on the reforms commonly referred to as “Castle Doctrine.” Over the past 4 ½ years, I have had the pleasure of speaking with roughly 4,000 license holders during training classes, as I am often called on by other instructors to give the legal presentations to their classes. These classes have ranged in size from 2 people to 50+, and from inner-city Cleveland classes for Rep. DeBose’s church to business professionals in Powell. I can tell you, most assuredly, that without regard to education, gender, profession, religion, age, political affiliation or geographic location, the number one reaction I have seen during all of these classes is:

What do you mean I have to prove something if someone breaks into my house? (A close second is “Why should I bother to get the license with all the restrictions that are placed on it?”)

The reaction ranges between bemusement with the legal system to outright hostility. The average, functioning, law abiding members of our society consider our current laws on self-defense an affront to the system of government they feel they live under.

This sentiment, more than any fact pattern, case or example, is the reason this bill is needed. Your licensed citizens, Democrat or Republican, degreed professional or high school drop out, old man or young single mom, uniformly consider the current system an outrage. Simply put, if they are acting within their own home or their own car in defense of themselves or others, that should be the beginning and end of the story, criminally and civilly.

The Senate is currently considering a sub-bill with some new language clarifying some concerns raised during the hearing process, and I would encourage this committee to adopt and pass this same substitute bill next week, and to generously consider amendments addressing other problems with concealed carry, which you have been hearing from your constituents.

I will be glad to answer any questions.