The Idiot Chronicles, Volume 4: Your elected Representative Mark Okey

by Ken Hanson, Esq.

"Never ascribe to malice that which is adequately explained by stupidity."

While there is no definitive source for this quote (conflicting sources have it going all the way back to Napoleon), it clearly encompasses two things that are happening in the media coverage of the two Restaurant Carry bill spending in the Ohio General Assembly. The malice is coming from those opposing the law. These groups are spreading deliberate misinformation as wide and as far as possible. The stupidity is coming from those who listen to them.

A good example of this is the floor speech given May 11, 2011 by Representative Mark Okey (D-61) in opposition to H.B. 45, which would allow licensees to enter a liquor facility, so long as they are not under the influence of drugs or alcohol, and so long as the person does not consume alcohol while on premises. Rep. Okey, a 2010 Buckeye Firearms Association endorsee, offered several baffling explanations for his anti-gun vote against H.B. 45.

"First of all, if this becomes law, every proprietor, every business owner that's touched by this is gonna need a lawyer."

(It should be a short conversation. Private employers have civil immunity for the actions of licensees on their property. See R.C. 2923.126(C)(2)(a). If Applebees, TGI Friday's, Ruby Tuesday's etc. have not had liability problems in any of the other 42 states that allow restaurant carry, why is Ohio going to be different, Rep. Okey?)

"Do I need to instruct my staff to ask every patron if they have a gun? That puts the burden back on that patron. Then, do I need to examine every concealed carry license for its validity?"

(Again with the "bartender as law enforcement" red herring. I am sure your staff will ask this question, just like they currently ask every patron if their driver's license is valid, if they are currently insured, and if there are any outstanding warrants for their arrest.)

"You know, in my humble opinion, folks, that [Buckeye Firearm's] letter was threatening in tone. It was intended to intimidate us as legislators into voting for a bill."

(Gosh, a firearms PAC sending a strongly worded letter seeking votes in support of their sponsored bills. Whatever is politics coming to?)

"My knee jerk reaction was I threw it in the trash can. But, if you want to read it, get it from Mr. Representative McKenney or get it off the web site at Buckeye Firearms, it's there boldly posted, proudly that they sent it all out."

(Of course we proudly wanted people to know we sent it out. Thanks for reinforcing our message through your speech.)

"Well, folks, I don't respond well to threats or intimidation or turning up the pressure or seeing my political -- political hits being carried out against my fellow legislators. Every citizen in this State has a right to defend their house. This (General Assembly) is our house. We have a right to defend it and we do not have to retreat from our positions and our responsibilities sitting on the House floor."

(I recall something from civics classes stating that it is actually the people's House. You, Rep. Okey, are simply sitting in a borrowed chair as an invited guest. If anyone has a right to defend the House, it is the voters of your district, who we will be motivating to support your opponent in upcoming elections.)

"Well, today I'm invoking my legislative self-defense right. The only ammo I've got is a vote. Buckeye Firearms, you don't own my vote. Buckeye Firearms, you have to earn my vote. You earn it with the convincing argument in a civil manner. All I ever promised any of you and Buckeye Firearms was fair consideration of the issues. I have kept my promise. If Buckeye Firearms doesn't respect this institution, then they don't deserve my vote."

(We are checking with our attorneys, but we are pretty sure it is the Representative, not the citizen, that must earn votes.)

Following is a small excerpt of Okey's lengthy rant on the floor of the House on May 11:

Ken Hanson is a gun rights attorney in Ohio. He serves as the Legislative Chair for Buckeye Firearms Association, and is the attorney of record for Buckeye Firearms Foundation, which filed friend-of-the-court briefs in the Heller and McDonald Supreme Court cases. The National Rifle Association's Institute for Legislative Action (NRA-ILA) has awarded him with its 2008 Defender of Justice Award and 2009 Jay M. Littlefield Volunteer of the Year Award. He is the author of The Ohio Guide to Firearm Laws, a certified firearms instructor and holds a Type 01 Federal Firearms License.

Related Articles:
The Idiot Chronicles, Volume 1: "Restaurant Carry & Bartenders"

The Idiot Chronicles, Volume 2 : Your elected Representative Michael Foley

The Idiot Chronicles, Volume 3: Random Elected Representative Comments You Might Have Missed