Will work for CCW reform

By Jim Irvine

Yesterday, as President Bush came to Ohio to raise money for a faltering Senator Mike DeWine (RINO), there was a gathering of Republicans who support President Bush, but are upset with DeWine for his vehemently anti-gun and anti-American stance regarding firearms and the Second Amendment. They are also upset with the Ohio Senate who has refused to pass HB347, which passed the Ohio House in March with strong bipartisan support. They held signs near the event to convey their discontent. Also present were several Libertarian’s, including candidate Mark Noble who will be on the ballot this fall with Bill Peirce for Governor and Lt. Governor.

There is a growing feeling among Ohio Republicans that they have been taken for granted by their party. It has been said that the Ohio Republican Party (ORP) has treated gun owners like the Democratic National Committee (DNC) has treated homeless people. They love to stand by them and talk about them at election time, but when the polls close they push them away and refuse to do anything for them. They are treated like lepers until the next campaign season when they suddenly become an important constituent again.

Contrary to presidential politics and big national races, most political races are run by unpaid volunteers who believe in a candidate and a cause. Races all across Ohio this fall will be won by the team that can generate support. Democrats rely on union members, many of which have Election Day off to help with their campaigns. Republicans have come to rely on religious groups and gun owners. But with President Harris saying HB347 will not be considered until after the election, gun owners are increasingly saying they will not help Republicans in campaigns this fall.

Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me. Gun owners have been fooled and mislead by Republican's top leadership since Governor George Voinovich and Lieutenant Governor Mike DeWine were elected in 1990. Then only 15 states were “shall issue” states, and Ohio was one of 14 “no issue” states. Now there are 37 “shall issue” states, and only two “no issue” states (two states are also “unrestricted”). While Ohio is one of the “shall issue” states, it places restrictions on its license holders that no other state imposes.

HB347 does not change who can carry a firearm, where they can carry one, or the training required to obtain a license. It improves the required background checks, eases restrictive rules on law enforcement, and fixes problems with the 2004 law that even those opposed to that legislation at the time now support fixing. It eases, but does not eliminate the restrictions placed on concealed handgun license holders while in a car, but will still leave Ohio with the most restrictive law in the country. It does nothing controversial, but for unexplained reasons has been sidetracked by Harris. It is uncanny how similar these actions seem to those of the Senate in 2002 when HB274 was gutted, poison-pilled, and then killed “after the election.” If there is nothing to hide, then why the delay?

Many Republican candidates have expressed concern about getting gun owners to help this year. Those in the House complain that it is not right to hold them responsible for the failures of the Senate. They are right. But too many voters do not know their elected representatives and only see them as “Republicans” or “Democrats.” While there are stark differences in the parties, there are also stark differences in the candidates themselves. This year more than ever, voters need to know where the candidates stand on the issues.

There are candidates who strongly support your Second Amendment rights, and there are candidates who go to great lengths to derail any legislation that will restore your rights, even if that same legislation will save lives. Party affiliation does not matter, but the stance on your issues does.

The NRA calls it “Vote Freedom First.” The issues are what matters. I strongly encourage you to get involved in a local campaign this year, but even I can understand those who tell their Senate Republican candidates they will only work them, after HB347 becomes law.