Off-duty officer's CCW foils bank robbery

On Christmas Day, the Toledo Blade reported that police are seeking information about two men who tried to rob the University of Toledo/Medical College of Ohio Hospitals credit union but were thwarted by an employee and an off-duty police officer.

The masked suspects got out of their car about 9:30 a.m. Dec. 6 and approached the credit union, 5248 Hill Ave. An employee saw them as they were drawing their weapons and locked the door so they couldn't enter.

An off-duty officer, who was inside the credit union, pointed his weapon at the men, who ran to their car and fled. The car was recovered, and police learned it had been stolen.

Commentary:
What many businesses who post "no-guns" signs do no realize is that in addition to discriminating against law-abiding CHL-holders, they may be keeping out off-duty law enforcement officers.

On July 19, Attorney General Jim Petro issued an opinion which stated that unless recognized by their department as "acting within the scope of their duties", Ohio law enforcement officers may CCW while off-duty without a license, but must obey all rules pertaining to CHL-holders, including not entering posted businesses.

Ohioans For Concealed Carry looks forward to working with Ohio's law enforcement groups to ensure that all citizens, not just law enforcement officers, receive relief from some of the egregious provisions inserted into Ohio's CHL law by the Ohio State Highway Patrol and Bob Taft. All citizens deserve equal protection under the law.