More and more law enforcement expressing support for self-defense

October 2, 2003
Chillicothe Gazette

Efforts to introduce versions of a concealed weapons law into legislation is like walking a fine line between public safety and constitutional rights, local law enforcement agencies say.

With the battle to allow Ohio residents the right to carry handguns on their person raging in the House and Senate, local law enforcement agencies weighed in on the debate.

Sheriff Ron Nichols said the Buckeye Sheriff's Association has come out in support of the law if wording about screening and training can be properly placed in the text.

"It always has been one of our constitutional rights to let law-abiding citizens to protect themselves," he said. "With proper training and screening the law can be supported."

Nichols said if a form of the proposed bill becomes law, he will not fear for his officers' safety anymore than he does now.

"This is a serious issue," he said. "Every time a law enforcement officer makes a stop, he is putting his life on the line. The possibility that a gun can be used against an officer is around everyday but we have to remember law-abiding citizens don't pull guns on police officers. It's the criminals that we need to be worried about."

The State Highway Patrol is taking a neutral stance. Sgt. Robin Schmutz, from the public affairs office in Columbus, said the patrol is reviewing the decision from the Ohio Supreme Court before making a statement in either direction. However, officer and public safety safeguards will solidify its decision.

Commentary:
Sgt. Robin Schmutz' claim that the OSHP is taking a neutral stance on it's opinion about the Supreme Court ruling is a little hard to understand, given comments from another OSHP bureaucrat quoted the day after the ruling was issued:

Patrol spokesman Lt. Rick Fambro said, "We feel that this decision has solidified the officer safety and public safety concerns that we've had." - Cleveland Plain Dealer, September 25, 2003

OFCC volunteers and supporters are in the process of polling law enforcement municialities statewide, to ensure that these "person of common intelligence", in Justice Paul Pfiefer's words, understand Ohio's current Vermont-style open carry law (as was exercised in Cincinnati this past Sunday). As we argued in court, it is readily apparent that many law enforcement officers appear to be something other than "persons of common intelligence".

More on what they learn soon...

Click here to read the entire story in the Chillicothe Gazette.