Say it Ain't So! Lima News, longtime proponent of CCW, posts No-Guns signs

A quick search of the words "Lima News" on this website's search engine will reveal that the Lima News has been one of the few Ohio media outlets with an editorial board that takes a friendly outlook on your personal right to self-defense.

So imagine our surprise when we began receiving emails from concerned customers, reporting that they had seen "No-CCW" signs on the front door of the very same newspaper.

The publisher responded to an email from an OFCC volunteer in a way that seems to indicate that he is either operating under a very large misunderstanding, or a deliberate attempt to confuse customers:

Dear Sir:

I am the person responsible for the posting of the no firearms sign at our entrances. This is in response to the law signed by Governor Bob Taft that went into
effect April 8, 2004 allowing individuals to carry concealed weapons. We
are a private employer and own this property. However, if we were located
on county property, interpreting the new law, we might also be required to
post the notice. The law provides a list of specific places where concealed weapons will automatically be prohibited and mentions criminal charges that may be imposed. If you visit any government owned buildings,
public gathering areas where the law has been applied, you will find the
same posting. The listing of these places can be found at
www.ohiochamber.com if you would like further information.

I regret you find the posting offensive but we believe as a private employer with responsibility to all I work with we needed to inform our employees and the public of the law and policy now in effect.

Sincerely,
Stephen C. Johnson
Publisher
The Lima News

If anyone can discern what Johnson's lesson on government building bans has to do with the Lima News voluntarily choosing to tell customers with CHLs to stay out, please let us know.

Mr. Johnson can be reached at 419-993-2073 or [email protected].