Media Agrees: All Eyes on Senate President Doug White

It is clear from reading media fallout from the ruling - all eyes are now intensely focused on Sen. Pres. Doug White and his continued obstruction of Am. Sub. HB12.

Akron Beacon Journal:
Drive to lift state gun ban returns to legislature

House Speaker Larry Householder, R-Glenford, said in a statement Wednesday that he wants the Senate to join the House to work out differences. Senate President Doug White, R-Manchester, said Householder should work out his differences with Taft, also a Republican.

Cincinnati Enquirer:
"Plaintiffs consider appeal to federal court"
Tim Smith, the lawyer who represented the four plaintiffs, said the affirmative defense clause raises constitutional issues that might help get the case to the U.S. Supreme Court. He said he will decide within the next three months whether to launch a federal appeal.

and
"Debate over concealed-carry likely will continue to rage"

and
Editorial: "Bad decision, bad law"

Wednesday's ruling by the Ohio Supreme Court on carrying concealed weapons upholds a bad law that should be rewritten by the General Assembly. We hope the ruling will crack the legislative obstinacy.

Cincinnati Post:
"Leaders can't agree on gun law "
Hamilton County Prosecutor Mike Allen, a former police officer and judge, on Wednesday called the ruling "a technical victory for us, I guess," but insisted state lawmakers can make the debate over carrying concealed weapons go away by changing the law.

"What I support personally is a concealed carry bill that provides for periodic qualifying -- like police officers have to do -- and background checks," Allen said.

Cleveland Plain Dealer:
"Justices uphold concealed gun ban"

Although the 5-2 ruling was a defeat for the gun lobby, both sides of the fractious issue believe it could breathe new life into the legislature's stalled debate over allowing law-abiding citizens to carry concealed handguns.

and
"Former State Patrol boss, now a Justice, issues dissent"

and
Ohio foes of gun law to pressure legislature
Proposals in the legislature to allow concealed-carry have stalled, with some lawmakers and police agencies arguing that allowing hidden weapons could put the public and police officers at risk. [Forty-five]other states allow people to carry hidden weapons , mostly with restrictions. Vermont [and Alaska do] not require a license or permit.

Cincinnati hairdresser Vernon Ferrier, who joined [three other individuals] as a plaintiff in the lawsuit, is planning to walk with friends and supporters Sunday afternoon in his neighborhood while wearing unconcealed firearms.

Others may show up for and against the cause, and the crowd could number in the hundreds, Ferrier said yesterday.

He said his protest is intended to demonstrate that while carrying unconcealed weapons is permitted, it could put wearers at risk of arrest for inducing panic or of attack by people who might try to take the guns.

"I had eight guys try and take my gun away from me one night, because I was carrying it openly. They were unsuccessful in their attempt," Ferrier said.

Columbus Dispatch:
"Justices uphold ban on concealed guns" (subscription site - paid access only)

In a ruling sure to put new emphasis on the legislative battle over guns, the Ohio Supreme Court yesterday upheld the state’s 83-year-old ban on carrying concealed weapons.

Senate President Doug White said, "It’s up to the House and the governor." The Manchester Republican has yet to appoint Senate members to a conference committee that is supposed to be negotiating differences between the House and Senate versions of the bill. The Senate passed its on June 18.

House Speaker Larry Householder had a different view.

"The Ohio House has twice passed a balanced plan to give law-abiding citizens the ability to protect themselves and their families, just like the citizens of virtually every state in the nation have," the Glenford Republican said in a prepared statement. "We think it’s time for the Senate to come to the table in conference committee on House Bill 12 and work with us to resolve this issue."

Chad Baus, a spokesman for Ohioans for Concealed Carry, based in suburban Cleveland, was even more forceful.

"I believe the court decision focuses all attention on Senate President Doug White to stop obstructing passage of this bill.

"The court correctly recognized that we have a self-defense right. They say the remedy is to carry weapons openly. What would they rather see — people walking around carrying openly, like the old Wild West, or a more subtle defense by carrying weapons where no one can see them?"

Meanwhile, gun owners plan to display their weapons openly Saturday as they walk through a north Cincinnati neighborhood.

"It’s more relevant now than it was before," said Vernon Ferrier, 62, a suburban Cincinnati hairdresser and a plaintiff in the lawsuit. "There’ll be more people participating. It could be hundreds."

The gun walk originally was organized to persuade the Supreme Court to issue a ruling, but now the emphasis is on House Bill 12.

Dayton Daily News:
Court upholds ban on concealed guns

Lancaster Eagle Gazette:
Gun owners, law enforcement express opinion on court ruling

"The gun is as much of the American culture as the bagpipe is with Scotland," Thomason said. "It's a major deterrent to crime, to sexual offenses, to assault. It's my whole-hearted belief it makes Ohio a better, safer place."

Lorain Morning Journal:
Editorial: Ohio's Supreme Court rules for common sense, against concealed guns

Newark Advocate:
Plaintiffs won't support Senate concealed-carry bill
The leaders of the state Senate and House said later they had not changed their positions on the issue. The Senate-passed bill, which would prohibit motorists from concealing weapons on their person in cars and is supported by Gov. Bob Taft, is unacceptable to the House in its present version.

New Philadelphia Times Reporter:
Weapons initiative misfires -- Tug-of-war erupts in Ohio Legislature

Lawmakers from Stark and Tuscarawas counties say it’s time to get House Bill 12 signed into law. The holdup is Senate President Doug White, R-Manchester, who Wednesday continued to refuse to assign members of the Senate to a conference committee to work out differences between House and Senate versions of the conceal carry legislation.

Toledo Blade:
Law doesn’t infringe on right to bear arms, Ohio court rules

Bill M. Gustavson, a Cincinnati attorney representing the Second Amendment Foundation, of Bellevue, Wash., said since the Ohio Supreme Court ruled that the legislature can restrict gun use, the legislature also can loosen regulations.

"Other states have done this without incident. There’s no blood in the streets. There aren’t soccer moms shooting each other over parking spaces at the soccer game. The criminals and miscreants are carrying guns. This is about decent, law-abiding taxpayers who would like to carry a firearm for their defense and security," Mr. Gustavson said.