NM Democrats work to improve CCW; OH Republican Gov. obstructs

On the same day as headlines in Ohio report the latest example of Republican governor Bob Taft threatening to veto legislation that would protect the privacy of Ohio CHL-holders, the Cybercast News Service is reporting that New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson, a Democrat, signed a bill on Wednesday expanding his state's concealed carry law.
From the story:

House Bill 641, the Right-to-Carry Reform Bill, lowers the minimum age for permit applicants from 25 to 21; it makes concealed-carry licenses good for four years instead of two; and it allows police to enter into reciprocal agreements with other right-to-carry states.

"These changes will encourage more law abiding New Mexicans to apply for a license and protect themselves in a lawful, responsible manner," said Chris W. Cox, NRA's chief lobbyist.

The Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms (CCRKBA) also applauded Gov. Richardson for signing a bill that it describes as a true reform measure.

"The law recognizes that young adults have just as much right to self-defense as older citizens, and that 21-year-olds in New Mexico are just as responsible as 21-year-olds in other states who are already legally-licensed to carry," said CCRKBA Executive Director Joe Waldron.

"If they are old enough to carry a firearm to defend this nation, they're certainly old enough to carry a firearm to defend themselves," he added.

Gov. Richardson pushed for the original concealed carry law two years ago, Waldron noted. "Now he's signed common-sense reform legislation that expands this law, with the understanding that it will deter criminals and empower more New Mexico citizens to protect themselves."

House Bill 641, sponsored by State Rep. John Heaton (D), received strong bipartisan support.

Soon after her election in 2002, Michigan governor Jennifer Granholm (D) signed legislation loosening restrictions on the concealed carry law in that state as well, actually improving a law that was less than a year old at the time.
Ohio Republican Bob Taft, on the other hand, has been a thorn in the side of Ohio gun owners since day he took office. Many of the most restrictive and unnecessary provisions on Ohio's concealed handgun license law can be traced directly to his door, thanks to a veto-threat that deterred several term-limited Republican Senators from voting for the bill the claimed they wanted to vote for, in the name of "party solidarity" and because they were hoping for "life after the legislature" - job appointments from Taft.
At this time, Republican gubernatorial-hopefuls are jostling for position in preparation for what could be a bruising 2006 primary season. Pro-gun Ohioans have begun to take note of who among the candidates have a record of true support for self-defense rights, and which of them may be more likely only to pay lip-service to support for the Second Amendment, as a means of getting votes.
Will the OhioGOP finally nominate a pro-gun Republican for 2006? Will a pro-gun Ohio Democrat come forward to fight for the Labor votes lost over the gun issue every election season? As the primary season moves ahead, only one thing seems certain in Ohio:

No one wants another Bob Taft.
Speaking of which...:
2nd Amendment among Betty’s website ''keywords'', but content nonexistent