Letters to the editor provide common sense answers to newspapers' objections to restaurant carry legislation

In the run-up to final passage of Restaurant Carry legislation in Ohio, newspaper editorial pages have been filled with dire warnings of what would happen if the bill became law. The letters-to-the-editor sections, on the other hand, have been filled with common-sense responses from fair-minded readers. Following are just a few examples.

The following letter to the editor appeared in The Columbus Dispatch on June 20, 2011.

Some teetotalers do indeed go to bars

"You say you're not going to drink. Why are you going to a bar anyway?" This quote was in Thursday’s Dispatch article about concealed-carry, "Next idea: No permit necessary." It is not the first time I have heard it, either.

I go to bars and I do not drink. I do not like the taste of beer and I'm too cheap to pay for mixed drinks. My beverage of choice is Diet Pepsi. I go to bars maybe to listen to my friends' band or to celebrate a retirement or birthday or to watch a sporting event. For the free food on bike nights and happy hours.

There are taverns across central Ohio for which you can't find a close place to park. The Short North's Gallery Hop — there's a parking nightmare. If a person has to park blocks away, shouldn't she have the legal right to protect herself from point A to point B, then back again?

Cindy Grinstead-Glick
Galloway

The following letter to the editor appeared in the Dayton Daily News on June 24, 2011.

Ohio's lawmakers get it regarding concealed carry

I want to thank the legislators who voted for SB 17. They understand the difference between the person who has sought training and a state license to carry a concealed handgun and the criminal who has no license. I also appreciate their support for my right of self-defense. To those legislators who voted against the bill, it is clear that you think the concealed handgun license holder is the same as the criminal. It is clear that you don't trust "we the people" whom you ask to vote for you.

Many restaurant/bar owners are concerned about how to enforce the law. How do they enforce the current prohibition against all weapons in their bar? Based on news reports of shootings in bars currently, I'd say they don't enforce anything. Where does the law give them police powers to enforce anything? The fact is there will be people carrying guns and drinking in bars tonight. Both are criminal actions. Concealed carry advocates have worked for many years to get this law passed so we can be legal in our actions. Criminals continue without regard to the law.

Many restaurant/bar owners are going to post the no guns signs. That's certainly their right. I think they should consider a couple of points before doing so. First, have the current signs warning against having a firearm in their establishment been effective? Only to those who are law abiding. Secondly, Ohio's concealed carry law states that at business cannot be sued as a result of the actions of the legal concealed handgun license holder (ORC 2923.126). Can you guarantee my safety while I am in your establishment?

However, I welcome the restaurants/bars who wish to post the no concealed handguns signage. It immediately informs me of the position of the owners. I then have the opportunity to decide to leave my gun in my vehicle in order to patronize their establishment or proceed to another establishment where I am free to carry my handgun and exercise my rights. I hope some of my favorite restaurants do not post. If so, I'll attempt to speak with the owners. If I fail to convince them to allow concealed carry, then I'll look for other dining choices.

Larry S. Moore
Jamestown

Outdoor writer and hunter education instructor Larry S. Moore is a long-time volunteer leader for Buckeye Firearms Association and winner of the 2005 USSA Patriot Award, the 2007 League of Ohio Sportsmen/Ohio Wildlife Federation Hunter Educator of the Year and the 2010 National Wild Turkey Federation/ Women in the Outdoors Hunter Education Instructor of the Year.

The following letter to the editor appeared in the Lancaster Eagle-Gazette on June 25, 2011.

Gerald Stebelton governs more like a liberal than a Republican

To the Editor:

Fairfield County is among the most conservative in Ohio with a long history of supporting fiscal restraint, gun rights and small government. Yet we are represented in the Ohio House by Gerald Stebelton who continually votes against gun rights, supports big government and refuses to vote based on the will of his constituents.

Representative Stebelton was the only Republican in the Ohio House to vote against SB184, which created legal protection for a citizen forced to use self defense during a violent home invasion. SB184 also blocked the ability of a home invader that is injured during commission of their crime from suing the homeowner.

Luckily, the rest of the Republicans in the Ohio House saw the benefit of protecting homeowners, and SB184 passed by an overwhelming majority.

In this legislative session, Representative Stebelton voted against a pro-gun bill that brings Ohio's concealed carry law in line with every surrounding state. By casting his vote against HB45, Representative Stebelton was saying he trusts Ohio residents less than the legislators in Kentucky, Michigan, Indiana and Pennsylvania trust their constituents.

A shameful position for an elected official to take.

Based on his anti-gun voting record, Representative Stebelton has a D+ rating from the Buckeye Firearms Association and a C- rating from the National Rifle Association.

Based on his votes in this session, it is likely his grades will drop even further.

It is clear he doesn't represent the viewpoint of Fairfield County and that he might have run as a Republican, but he governs as a liberal.

Gerard Valentino
Pickerington

Gerard Valentino is a member of the Buckeye Firearms Foundation Board of Directors and the author of "The Valentino Chronicles – Observations of a Middle Class Conservative," available through the Buckeye Firearms Association store.