Gun ban extremists to offer first concealed carry ''corrections'' bill?

5:07pm Tuesday, May 04, 2004

OFCC members, training instructors, law enforcement officers and new concealed handgun licensees have already identified several problems with Ohio's concealed carry law that are in need of immediate attention.

Restrictions on license-holders carrying firearms in motor vehicles which are not only unsafe (because they require too much firearms handling), but are unfairly discriminatory against women.

Mental records background checks are being implemented in such a way that persons who were never meant to be prevented from defending themselves, such as a woman who was once treated for an eating disorder, may be denied licenses.

A provision demanded by Bob Taft, which gives the media access to private information of those who obtain licenses for the stated purpose of ensuring the licensing process is occurring properly, is instead being abused by several newspapers as a means of discouraging others from applying, and being subjected to treatment normally reserved for convicted sexual predators.

The list goes on...

It is certainly disappointing for OFCC to learn that it will likely not be pro-concealed carry legislators who introduce the first corrections bill on concealed carry, but instead a small group of radical gun ban extremists in the Democrat party.

Click on the "Read More..." link below for more.

OFCC has learned that Rep. Tyrone Yates (D-33) and Sen. Ray Miller (D-15) are looking for co-sponsors for a HB12 corrections bill.

Yates and Miller, who consistently vote against concealed carry legislation, are introducing the bills in their respective chambers at the request of the City of Columbus (Mayor Michael Coleman).

The bills aim to expand the ban on concealed carry to all government owned/operated parks, swimming pools, golf courses, and parking lots. Our sources say it will further seek to expand "home rule", giving local municipalities more authority to restrict legalized self-defense. Essentially, the bill seeks to repeal Section 9 of House Bill 12.

Click here to read a memo on the subject, in which Sen. Miller states that "there are more than 6,000 misdemeanor and felony arrests combined, per year, in Ohio state parks. Though not defined specifically in terms of
municipal parks, the statistic highlights a disturbing situation and trend
of violence in the State of Ohio."

Uh, yea, and that's exactly why park-goers deserve the right to choose self-protection, Senator.

OFCC believes it is incumbent upon anti-gun mayors and legislators to find evidence that there is reason to reform the law. It is incumbent upon those who would support such a bill to offer proof that concealed handgun license-holders are causing problems in other states' city parks. It is their turn to prove there is a problem which needs fixing. Supporters of concealed carry/ self-defense reform have been proving it for years.

Section 9 update: City of Columbus recognizes duty to comply

Dispatch: Survey tabs Mayor Coleman as favorite among Dems in race for governor

Issue triggers reactions; Parks become a big concern for officials

Lancaster parks to discuss gun policy

SIMPLE: Letter-writer understands; some Mayors stumped

Letter to the Editor: Legal license-holders not danger in parks