Letter to the Editor: Ohioans have legal right to bear arms

January 05, 2005
Columbus Dispatch

I respond to Lyman Duncan Jr.’s Dec. 24 letter about Columbus City Councilman Michael Mentel’s desire to ban guns. When he was sworn in as councilman, I’ll bet Mentel swore to honor and protect the Ohio Constitution. He needs to read it, especially Section 4, which states, "The people have the right to bear arms for their defense and security." Think about that; the people have the right to bear arms for their defense and security, and the constitution doesn’t specify open or concealed carry.

When it was written, a popular weapon was the derringer, generally carried in a vest pocket. The legislature, as well as the Fraternal Order of Police, should have read the constitution before taking these 13 words and coming up with a 100-page unconstitutional concealed-carry law.

Look up the Ohio Constitution on the Internet; it’s easy. Let’s return to the constitution as the law of the land.

Harry Mullins
Bellefontaine

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