Leadership: Concealed Carry "Takes Seat in Back"

The 2003 Legislative Agenda was presented in a joint press conference Thursday by Governor Bob Taft, Speaker Larry Householder, and Senate President Doug White.

As anyone following the basic political and the economic issues facing Ohio knows, the issues being discussed as urgent legislative items include balancing Ohio's budget, unemployment, the school funding fiasco, among other issues.

Since the leadership didn't list the concealed carry reform issue as a priority, the news media inquired as to where it falls in the pecking order.

Although the answers are rather intense, we are not surprised. It is important to remember that Speaker Householder was quoted in earlier news stories indicating that concealed carry reform is expected to pass in "February or March".

Jeff Garvas, President of Ohioans for Concealed Carry, says "supporters should get ready to start attending legislative hearings for concealed carry legislation -- it will be introduced."

You can read about it at these links:

Associated Press - Concealed weapons bill takes "seat in the back" this year (this story has been picked up and reprinted in numerous Ohio news outlets across the state)

From the AP Article:

"Jeff Garvas, president of Ohioans for Concealed Carry, said lawmakers' comments didn't surprise him. He agreed that the state has more pressing concerns now.

'We do believe they are going to give this the attention it needs and take care of it in due time,' Garvas said."