Letter: Restaurant carry law means one less stolen gun on the street

by Chad D. Baus

The following letter was submitted to Buckeye Firearms Association. Personal information and police report case number have been redacted.

A couple weekends ago I was working for a band running sound at a bar and, since the law allowed it and there were no signs prohibiting it, I kept my gun on me as I was inside working.

My wife and her friend also came to visit, dance and listen to the band. The friend chose to not drink and peacefully carry her gun into the bar.

Sometime during the 2 hours they were there, the friend's passenger side window of her truck was broken and the dirtbag responsible went through the interior of the vehicle searching for something. It is not clear what they were looking for since nothing was missing.

During the same time, and presumably by the same dirtbag, my drivers' side window was broken and the contents of the center console were emptied and the glove compartment was left open. As far as I know nothing was taken and there was nothing of any value to take besides a Leatherman multi-tool which must have been overlooked.

If this incident had happened before 9/30/2011, my gun and the friend's gun would have been in our vehicles. Although both likely would have been unloaded or temporarily disabled is some other way when found, there would now be 2 more guns in the possession of criminals.

This experience is proof that the guns in bars law:

1. Has prevented at least two guns (who knows how many other times this has happened) from ending up in the hands of criminals.
2. May have prevented many more serious crimes (armed robbery, murder, attempted murder)

This is exactly what proponents of the bill said would be a benefit of passing SB 17. None of the opponents' Wild West predictions, on the other hand, have come to pass.

Chad D. Baus is the Buckeye Firearms Association Vice Chairman.