Letters to the Editor: Media would make the unarmed ''fair game''

January 13, 2004
Akron Beacon Journal

At long last, we citizens of Ohio now have the opportunity to protect ourselves from those intent upon doing us harm. The concealed-carry legislation recently passed by both houses of the Ohio legislature is far from perfect, but it is a start.

If the results of concealed-carry in Ohio are anything like the positive results that have been experienced in other states, we can be sure that the compromise provisions will eventually be removed to give us the full protection promised by the Second Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.

In the meantime, it will be interesting to see what mischief our representatives of the Fourth Estate will do with their access to the lists of citizens who apply for concealed-carry.

If they decide to publish this list, I surely will not want to be absent from it -- one of those who will be fair game for armed thugs.

Donald F. Beal
Peninsula

Click on the "Read More..." link below for more recent letters to the editor.

January 14, 2004
Akron Beacon Journal

Limiting public access, as provided in the Ohio House version of concealed-carry legislation, is ``flawed language,'' according to your Dec. 19 editorial headlined ``Conceal guns -- and more?'' Nonsense. Neither the Second Amendment nor the Ohio Constitution specify public access of or to all permit holders. A background check by the sheriff and completion of a gun-safety course is adequate assurance of the propriety in the issuance of a permit.

There is no justification for a public database of people who have been issued permits. The ``public'' includes criminals who definitely should not be able to predetermine which citizens might be armed and, conversely, if their intended victim, not on the permit-holder list, will be unarmed.

As for Columbus' Ray Miller's noting that 100 people have been killed by guns this year in his city; anti-gun people like to use contrived impressive numbers in their jargon. Imagine, an even 100 killed by a gun. Not 97 or 93, but 100 even? Regardless of the actual number, Miller was loath to mention the circumstances. How many were suicides? How many drug-related shootings? Self-defense? Accidental?

As for your conclusion that the state ``shouldn't encourage more Ohioans to carry guns on the street'': Ah, yes -- better to continue with carjacking, robbery, assault, purse-snatching, rape, murder or mayhem by a jealous spouse in a contested divorce, and random killings by a disgruntled factory worker or postal employee than to (gasp) allow honest, upright citizens to carry a gun for self-protection.

John J. Myers
Medina

Last week, the Lorain Morning Journal published an editorial entitled "Concealed guns soon will be legal on Ohio streets, God help us."
Click here to read the letters they received in response.
And click here.
And click here.
The response letters are 100% pro-concealed carry!

Middletown Journal
01.14.04

Why do we have to be singled out?

I have patiently awaited a CCW law in Ohio for years. I have watched the Legislature and our governor debate for years. I have supported the grassroots movement.

Several times I have felt unsafe while engaged in normal circumstances, such as working in pizza delivery I have even felt unsafe in normal activities, such as taking my children to the doctor or hospital in Cincinnati, which forces me to travel through a very high-crime area, such as Vine Street. I applaud the Legislature and the governor for finally recognizing our need and rights to be able to defend ourselves.

I have talked to several in law enforcement and I have not encountered a single officer who has any objections to a law-abiding citizen — upon receiving proper training — having the opportunity to defend himself.

I have no objections to the training requirements, and the only real objection I have is that the news media will probably print entire lists of the citizens who wish to exercise their right to apply and receive a CCW permit. Do we also need to print entire lists of every citizen who has been given a driver’s license? How about printing the address of every license holder in the state, whether it be a driver, attorney, doctor or nurse ? Why do we have to be singled out?

Let reporters check, but do not allow them to print lists. I am planning on applying. I know not every person will apply or be content with those who do choose to exercise their right I simply wish the right to be able to defend myself against those who would deprive me of my safety, possessions and even — in some instances — my life. I am a law-abiding citizen who simply wishes to remain that, and not a vigilante, armed, Wild West, gun-wielding yahoo like some who oppose this would lead you to believe.

Look to your neighbors — Michigan, Kentucky, Indiana and Pennsylvania — to see this has not happened in these states which already have concealed carry.

JIM BERRY

and
Back it up

Regarding the Jan. 10 editorial: You state that more gun sales will put more guns on our streets, leading to more deaths and injuries. Yet you don’t provide any documentation or any proof showing that has occurred in other states where the conceal-carry law has been passed. It’s obvious you’re very opinionated on this subject and should be a little bit more fair and balanced and should show how those types of laws have impacted other states. The same goes for the police chief. He says now he won’t know the good guys from the bad guys and he can’t back that statement up either.