Letter to the Editor: Law-abiding Ohioans have right to carry guns

September 9, 2004
Port Clinton News Herald

Regarding your editorial "Cities should have right to ban guns in parks," I believe you have missed several important points.

Gun laws, like many other laws, need to be consistent across the state. That is why speed limits and traffic laws operate within certain guidelines across the state. Seatbelt laws designed to make us safer are consistent across the state. Hunting laws and fishing regulations are consistent across the state.

The above are examples of state law designed to protect the citizens or, in the case of hunting and fishing regulations, our wildlife resources. However, these all fall short of the full force of the Ohio Constitution. Out of all the examples, only the issue of self-defense and firearms is addressed in the Ohio Constitution, which grants Ohioans the right to bear arms for their security.

There should be no more sacred responsibility than a parent protecting and defending his or her family, whether at home or at a city park.

I regularly vacation in the Port Clinton area. My last visit was the week of July 5. I had the pleasure of fishing with Mayor Brown during Fish Ohio Day. I also attended Gov. Taft's press conference. As a concealed handgun license holder, a license issued by the State of Ohio, I carried my handgun where legal. That included the governor's press conference. It included walks along Port Clinton pier and visits to Magee Marsh and Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge.

I could not carry while dining at Nate's, Mel's Crow Nest or The Garden due to restrictions on carry where alcohol is served.

I hope that Reps. Wagner and Redfern plus state Sens. Mumper and Gardner continue to recognize and support the right of the law-abiding Ohioans to carry concealed handguns if we so choose regardless of where we travel and vacation in Ohio.

Larry S. Moore
Jamestown, Ohio

Mr. Moore is OFCC's Senate District 10 Coordinator.

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