Editorial Claim: “No need for fast guns”

May 14, 2004
Columbus Dispatch

Sheriffs should take time necessary to handle concealed-carry permits

Like it or not — and The Dispatch doesn’t — the legislature has given Ohioans the right to carry concealed weapons after they have been issued a permit by a county sheriff.

The state’s 88 sheriffs now have the responsibility of taking applications and screening them to make sure applicants have completed 12 hours of training and that permits don’t go to convicted felons and the mentally ill. These safeguards are vitally important to Ohioans’ well-being and should not be shortchanged.

Some of the proponents of concealed carry have complained that sheriffs are taking too long to issue permits, even though the law is only 1 month old and allows sheriffs up to 45 days to approve or deny each permit.

This impatience suggests the complainers don’t much appreciate the gravity of allowing people to mill about society with loaded guns in their purses and briefcases.

The concealed-carry law, ill-advised as it is, was passed by the legislature, and local officials must abide by it. Those opposed should not drag their feet in complying.

But most Ohioans would take issue with the contention of concealedcarry backer Gerard Valentino, who declared, "A concealed-carry permit shouldn’t be any different than a driver’s license or a marriage license."

Whoa. While the cynic may say that a marriage license in the wrong hands can do plenty of damage, the danger doesn’t extend to most members of the public, so it’s appropriate that this permit is relatively easy to get.

On the other hand, Valentino may be onto something with his first example. Compared with a concealed-carry permit, getting a driver’s license requires many more hours of training and the holder needs to carry insurance to cover any damage he might cause while using a car. Valentino probably would object, but similar provisions would improve the concealed-carry law.

As it is, the law — not to mention public safety — requires careful background checks, and sheriffs must not be hurried through them.

What follows is OFCC Central Ohio Coordinator Gerard Valentino’s response, which has been submitted to the Dispatch for publication.

No Need for Facts or Evidence or Truth

The recent Dispatch Editorial, No Need for Fast Guns, failed to give one shred of evidence to support a stance against concealed carry. In fact, none of The Dispatch’s anti-gun rhetoric over the years rises above “we hate guns and you should too.”

I thought the job of the Editorial board is to craft public policy arguments based on sound research, facts and evidence. Your emotional attachment to a failed social experiment does not - no matter how hard you might wish - count as any of the three.

At first I was insulted that you quoted me out of context as a set up for a slam piece devoid of fact.
On second thought, I realized if you attacked me in such an unfounded manner my side must be winning, and we are. Grassroots support for my point of view continues to grow nationwide and soon gun control as a means of ensuring public safety will be relegated to scrap heap.

Recent Zogby polls show 79% of people nationwide support laws that allow citizens to carry a concealed firearm. Right-to-Carry drew better than 70% support in every demographic group, with even non-gun owners indicating their backing by 73% to 23%. Clearly The Dispatch Editorial Board there is out of touch with their readers and the beliefs of everyday Ohioans.

It must be hard to know the will of the people when you stand at arms length and preach instead of lowering yourself to ask.

Cleary anti-gun zealots do not accept the gravity of allowing criminals to mill about with the freedom to attack with impunity. The belief that disarming responsible law-abiding citizens – misguided as it is – will lead to a safer Ohio has no basis in fact.

States that enact concealed carry laws have not seen an increase in gun violence or accidents. Hiding your head in the sand and ignoring the other 45 states success will not save your disproved beliefs about concealed carry. Detroit saw a 21% decrease in reported shootings in the year after concealed carry became law (Detroit News) and according to the FBI, Michigan saw a 10.5% decrease in their crime rate during the same period.

Like it or not – and The Dispatch doesn’t – gun control failed as an ideology and was never accepted by everyday Ohioans.

Only those emotionally invested continue to tout its value. Even the Centers for Disease Control recently concluded that there is no proof that gun control laws decrease crime or gun accidents.

Ohio’s current concealed carry law required the 88 sheriffs to accept applications beginning April 8th. Some, however, are using a limited appointment schedule to delay the process.

Applying for a concealed carry permit should be no different than applying for a marriage or drivers license - which can be done during normal business without appointments.

That is the law.

Gerard Valentino
Ohioans for Concealed Carry
Central Ohio Coordinator

Related Story: Columbus Dispatch: 140+ years of anti-self-defense rhetoric