Republican councilwoman rethinking stance on guns in parks

By Chad D. Baus

Yesterday, the Dayton Daily News published a story entitled "Law allowing guns in parks irks Beavercreek councilwoman," which addressed comments made by Beavercreek Councilwoman Phyllis Howard at a January 25 council meeting.

In the story, Howard is quoted as saying she opposed efforts to change to an ordinance prohibiting guns in public parks to comply with a state law passed in 2007 and upheld by the Ohio Supreme Court in 2008, calling the idea that anyone would want to carry a concealed firearm in a public park "ridiculous."

Today, Howard met with fellow Greene County Republican Central committee member and Buckeye Firearms Association Region Leader Larry S. Moore, and we are pleased to report that Howard is now rethinking her stance on the issue.

Howard informed Moore that she has been contacted via email this week by a number of gun owners, and that all have been polite and informative. She has also talked personally with other constitutents who have provided her with more information.

Howard admits she didn't understand Ohio's concealed carry law when she made the comments, nor the extensive training process Ohio concealed handgun license (CHL) -holders have to go through in order to obtain a license.

Councilwoman Howard says after having better educated herself on the issue, she is prepared to go to council and say she understands that CHL-holders are not the problem, and express her support for the city's efforts to align city law with state law.

Representatives from Buckeye Firearms Association and Ohio Gun Collectors Association will attend the next Beavercreek council meeting on February 8 in case any other council members have questions.

Chad Baus is a Member of the Fulton County, OH, Republican Central Committee and the Buckeye Firearms Association Vice Chairman.