CRUNCH TIME: Effort to force votes on pro-gun bills depends on what you do RIGHT NOW

WCMH (NBC Columbus) is reporting on State Rep. Danny Bubp's effort to get enough signatures from state representatives on two discharge petitions to force floor votes on two pro-gun bills this week, and by all indications, the fate of these pro-gun bills rests in the hands of gun owners' willingness to get involved RIGHT NOW.

From the article:

Could the State of Ohio soon allow guns in bars?

The gun debate has been going on for nearly ten years and in the spring, lawmakers in the Ohio Senate passed a bill giving those who have a concealed carry license the legal ability to carry their gun into bars and restaurants.

But since the initial push, the bill has stalled in the Ohio House -- until now.

Next Tuesday, the Ohio House floor could see a battle when Rep. Danny Bubp looks for house members to sign a petition to override the speaker for a vote on concealed carry in bars and restaurants that serve alcohol.

"We're asking for self defense. I should not be disarmed when I am going out to lunch with my family and am not consuming alcohol. It's a self defense issue," said Linda Walker, of the Buckeye Firearms Association.

"It's just a nightmare. Imagine if there was a shooting in this bar here and five or six people jump up with guns. Who is the good guy and who is the bad guy? Who is the police? Who is not?" said Mark Drum, of the Ohio Fraternal Order of Police.

The article goes on to note that supporters of Senate Bill 239, including Bubp, will employ a rarely-used House Rule 87 to try to force the concealed carry bill for a vote on the floor before the effective end of the legislative session this week.

Again, from the article:

"I was unaware of it until one of my colleagues brought it to my attention. I think it has been almost 20 years since anyone has used it in the Ohio House of Representatives," Bubp said.

"They are trying to circumvent the voice of the people," Drum said.

If you think Mark Drum's comments to the media today on behalf of the FOP are repulsive, you ain't heard nothin' yet. Consider this excerpt from an article published on this website in September, entitled "The importance of elected officials on full display during opponent testimony to SB239 (Restaurant & Car Carry Rules Fix)":

Mark Drum is the professional/paid lobbyist for the Ohio Fraternal Order of Police. The FOP is a union that represents sworn police officers and is funded through union dues deducted from wages paid to police officers (i.e. funded by your tax dollars.) Neither the labor union leadership nor the members are directly accountable to voters. The FOP opposes SB239, according to Drum, in part because it would: allow licensees to drive around twirling guns on their finger, allow the use of quick draw holsters that are a danger to police and require those going to restaurants to have "designated shooters." Drum also testified that police officers should be allowed to drink in restaurants and/or while consuming because they are "better trained," "better decision makers," and have received weapons retention training. (I should note that I had the OPOTC training curriculum in my hands as Drum testified, and sure enough, there isn't any training about how to carry while intoxicated, no training on carrying concealed and no explanation of how a person would get into a situation where there would be a "gun snatch" when the gun is concealed.) The tone, content and manner of his testimony was condescending and insulting to gun owners.

When Drum first announced that the FOP would be opposing these bills last spring, Ken Hanson, who serves as Buckeye Firearms Association's legislative chair, responded:

"I cannot recall an instance when the political leadership of the FOP has been consulted on a bill and then supported the easing of self-defense laws in Ohio. (i.e. laws that allow citizens to become less dependent upon the police for personal protection.)

"Quite the opposite," he continued. "Many of the 'poison pill' provisions that gun owners still complain about have FOP political fingerprints all over them. Fortunately, the feedback we get from the rank and file FOP members - those that actually perform police functions (versus union functions) on a day to day basis - is overwhelmingly supportive."

To highlight Hanson's point, consider this letter, which was sent to Mark Drum (and forwarded to BFA) by a police officer and FOP member who read the comments he made to NBC4i:

Dear Mr. Drum,

I am an officer represented by FOP. Frankly, sir, it irritates me that any time the media needs an anti-gunowner quote, you provide it. Count me among the numerous officers who wholly disagree with what you and FOP are doing on this issue.

I would request that FOP stand up for the rights and protection of ordinary decent people and support bills 239 and 247. Your "nightmare scenario" on the news today was bologna. I would rather five good Ohioans stand and fight a criminal or terrorist attack than sit and be meekly executed. They should certainly have the tools to do it.

Other than this singular issue of gun-owner rights, I feel you have done an admirable job. I hope you continue in that role, but as a supporter of lawfully armed Ohioans, not an opponent.

With best wishes,
XXXXXX XXXXX

Indeed, and this officer's letter puts a bullet point on a statement BFA's Walker gave to NBC: "People should not fear the gun. They should fear the criminal."

Once again, from Columbus' NBC affiliate:

The issue may come down to House Speaker Armond Budish.

Supporters say the House will need three days of session to pass the bill.

"We need Speaker Budish to schedule that third day of session. Do the right thing for gun owners in Ohio and schedule that third day of session," Walker said.

SB239 has passed the Ohio Senate by a large margin. This bill would bring Ohio into the 21st century by joining 42 states that allow concealed carry licensees to carry in a restaurant that serves alcohol, and joining 47 states that place no restriction on how a licensee may carry a firearm in a vehicle.

SB247, which passed the Ohio Senate by a large margin, including a 100% vote on a floor amendment, brings Ohio law into alignment with Federal law on restoration of rights. This bill is entirely unopposed by the Ohio Prosecuting Attorney's Association, the Buckeye Sheriff's Association and almost every law enforcement organization in Ohio. There is simply no excuse for not bringing this vote to the floor of the Ohio House.

You have rolled your eyes, expressed your disappointment and outrage at Ohio's absurd gun laws...now is the time for you to do something to get these bills passed. The time for partisan finger-pointing is long past. The time for a vote is now.

Please call your Representative immediately and ask that they sign the discharge petitions for Senate Bill 239 and Senate Bill 247. Ask your representative to make the extra effort to get together with Rep. Bubp in person to sign the petition.