Editorial: Concealed-carry law long overdue

Jan. 9, 2004
Lima News

Ohioans finally will be able to carry concealed weapons. The bill isn't perfect, but it is long overdue. Ohio lawmakers have taken far too long in allowing residents of the state the ability to protect themselves.

Gov Bob Taft on Thursday signed a bill passed by the Ohio House and
Senate to allow Ohioans to carry concealed weapons. The bill has flaws
that will need addressed by future legislatures and more even-minded
governors, but the bill as passed is a start. And it's a start that has
been waiting to happen since 1995, when current efforts to pass
concealed-carry legislation began, only to be thwarted by then-House
Speaker Jo Ann Davidson and Gov. George Voinovich.

Taft, current House Speaker Larry Householder and Senate President
Doug White carried on the tradition of blocking concealed-carry
legislation for a while, but finally worked out their differences.

Both sides of the gun issue go back and forth over whether
concealed-carry laws make society any safer or any more dangerous. Studies
have shown neither really happens. Given that, it only makes sense to
allow those who would feel more comfortable protecting themselves the
ability to do so. Those who do not want to carry guns can avoid doing so.
Responsible gun owners follow the law, thus they have not been carrying
concealed weapons.

Criminals do not follow the law, and they won't change their behavior
when it comes to arming themselves because of what the General Assembly or
governor does. However, not knowing whether a random, would-be victim will
jam a revolver back in a criminal's face might give that criminal pause.

It's not a question of whether there is some overall societal good or
harm that comes from concealed carry, but rather whether an individual has
the ability to protect oneself.

Chief among the concerns we have about the bill passed Wednesday is
that it forces people to register for what should be a right. Making a
list of permit-holders a public record defeats the purpose of concealed
carry. If someone knows for sure you are carrying, it's not really
concealed.

More importantly, making the list available only to the media lets
someone in state government determine what qualifies. Will someone who
publishes only on the Internet be denied such a list? What about freelance
writers? Student journalists who do not work for a "real" media outlet?
Letting government decide who should have access to such a record by
declaring media only allows government to regulate what indeed qualifies
as media. That seems to circumvent the First Amendment to the U.S.
Constitution.

That is one of the things a future body of lawmakers or the courts
will have to sort out. For now, the gun bill is a good start.