Letter to the Editor: Concealed-carry law welcomed by many

January 23, 2004
Dayton Daily News

RE "TAFT SOLD OUT GOOD GOVERNMENT," JAN.9: Once again the Dayton Daily News has come to the debate without evidence. The editorial suggests that Gov. Bob Taft caved in to the gun lobby. That is just silly rhetoric.

The debate is no longer about if people licensed to carry will have shoot-outs over parking spots, or use a gun in a domestic dispute, or shoot an employer over a dispute. These incidents simply do not happen with licensed carry.

We have statistics from 36 states and they all show misuse of the license or license revocations are statistically miniscule. Anyone can find these stats at the FBI Web site. Wouldn't people rather be educated about the issue, instead of blindly believing the DDN?

The writer's argument is, as usual, based on emotion or, even worse, the abject rejection of guns. Period.

Statistics show that every state with these laws experiences a decline in crime, especially serious crimes such as rape, murder and assault.

Why would Ohio be any different? Is the DDN suggesting that Ohioans cannot be trusted, or they are going out looking for a gunfight?

While the right to carry is not the crime-fighting panacea we seek, it is another piece of the crime-fighting puzzle we need. It is welcomed by many Ohioans, including some police departments.

My thanks go to the Ohio legislators who realized a need for this legislation, and to the responsible people who will carry legally.

Harold Keller
Dayton