Letter to the Editor: Never been repealed

September 10, 2003
Portsmouth Daily Times

Dodge City, bloodbaths, shootouts in the streets, wild west scenarios, road rage shootouts, lower level of law enforcement safety. These are phrases that have been used many, many times in the 44 states that now have a realistic concealed carry law. These very same words are now in use in the remaining states that have not passed that realistic concealed carry law.

Even in the great state of Ohio these phrases are used almost daily when concealed carry is discussed. Some of these phrases are used by some of our elected officials, some used by our states leading law enforcement officers, and some are used by members of the anti-gun community.

When the 44 other states that now have concealed carry laws on the books first started out, these phrases were also used prior to the implementation of the concealed carry law during the legislative process. Those states that did implement the CCW laws were actually waiting for some of these things to happen. Guess what? They never did.

Many people think that concealed carrying of a weapon is a bad law. I’ve spoken with people from the surrounding states of Ohio and some of them think that CCW is a bad law, so I ask only one question to them, "If it’s such a bad law why hasn’t any state that has a concealed carry law in place repealed it?" Of all the 44 states that have a concealed carry law there has never been a state repeal that law.

Perhaps it makes a person think, is Ohio doing something wrong? Is Ohio behind the times? Besides, who wants a dramatic reduction in violent crimes, an increase in law enforcement safety, and a feeling that one would know that they could protect themselves, their children, and their loved ones in a crisis situation?Of all the 44 states that have a concealed carry law there has never been a state repeal that law.

I, for one, would love to have such problems as a reduction in violent crimes, safer law enforcement officers, and knowing I could protect my family.

If you feel the same way as I do, contact Ohio Senate President Doug White and encourage him to appoint conferees to work out the unsafe language contained in the Senate amended version of House Bill 12.

Rick Jones
Sciotoville

Rick Jones is the OFCC PAC Senate District 14 Coordinator.