Car-Jacker Protection: Bob Taft writes newspapers to justify his position
This letter to the editor from Governor Bob Taft says it all.
Taft likes to claim in one breath that he has been a "strong supporter of the Second Amendment" and all of the "rights that it grants." Yet he goes on to write an editorial that proves he is more interested in limiting your rights to the best of his ability.
Concealed carry with limits OK
After reading your recent editorial, I feel compelled to write and set the record straight on my position on the concealed carry issue.
Throughout my public service career, I have been a strong supporter of the Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution and the rights that it grants.
I have also been a strong supporter of the men and women on the front lines of protecting us, and I am proud to have received support from state troopers, the Fraternal Order of Police, and many local police groups in my statewide campaigns.
As I have repeatedly stated, I would accept a concealed carry permitting bill only if it contains rigorous training requirements and thorough background checks, and is acceptable to Ohio’s law enforcement community.
Because of my stand on these critical points, law enforcement officials had significant input in crafting the concealed carry bill that was approved on a bipartisan vote of the Ohio Senate.
The Senate version significantly improved an unacceptable House bill by including a number of changes to safeguard both the public and members of the law enforcement community.
The Senate bill strengthens training requirements by adding a requalification component, increases penalties for violators, requires firearms to be locked away when a child is in a vehicle, requires a firearm to be in plain sight if a child is not in the vehicle, creates a felony offense for any person who possesses a firearm while driving under the influence, and increases safety for the men and women of law enforcement by notifying them through the Law Enforcement Automated Data System (LEADS) when a vehicle contains a concealed carry permit holder.
Despite editorial suggestions to the contrary, my position on this issue has been clear since 1997, when I began my first campaign for governor. And it is not negotiable.
The Senate bill meets the criteria I have consistently outlined.
Therefore I will sign the measure if it reaches my desk.
I will veto any version of this law that does not meet my requirements.
BOB TAFT
Governor
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