Letters to Editors: Fall-out from Supreme Court ruling on editorial pages

There have been some truly excellent letters to the editor published across the state in recent days. Click on the "Read More..." link below to view some of our favorites.

Where are concealed-carry horror stories?
Akron Beacon Journal

I want to thank you for your Sept. 26 editorial headlined ``Safety first.'' Your commentary on the fact that the Ohio Supreme Court upheld the ban on carrying concealed firearms made me realize for the first time that those other [45] states that permit their residents to carry are really and truly unsafe.

I'm going to have to be more selective in my travels. And given that every state bordering Ohio allows this terribly unsafe practice, I'll be hesitant to visit them.

This piece also made me question the thoroughness of Beacon Journal reporting. The paper apparently has been missing the thousands of stories from these other 44 states about the unbridled mayhem, anarchy and destruction they've been experiencing due to their concealed-carry laws.

Surely, there have been deadly shootouts at every traffic light, robberies and murders in broad daylight on every street. Shame on you people for putting me in danger by not making me aware of these events.

I think the vacuum that Ohio apparently exists within is, in reality, in the heads of five Supreme Court justices and your editorial staff.

Christopher L. Beebe
East Sparta

A demanding duty
Middletown News Journal

Self-defense is used when there's no security available. If an attacker
is armed with a handgun and I'm not allowed to carry a gun, what procedure
should I use to deter a rapist, robber or murderer? Now, if I am deprived of
my rights to protect myself and my family, do you see anything wrong in
getting a second opinion at our next election? Who is going to protect me?

When dealing with life and death situations, especially with individuals who are void of experience, this is not a choice, but a demanding duty of all men to protect their families. Of course, it all depends on the value you place on your wife and children and their belongings

I was drafted into the military (in) 1945. They claim it was to make our country safe. Now, 58 years later, our legislature wants to rewrite our constitutional rights and,
in reality, are saying that in the event you or your family are facing a situation of rape, robbery or murder, the only thing you should do is submit.

Paul Blevins
Middletown

Click here to read Paul's entire letter.

Blame parents to shooting
Lima News

Regarding the Commentary Page of The Lima News on Oct. 7, "Never too
young to kill" by Leonard Pitts Jr. of The Miami Herald: What adult leaves a
10-year-old to baby-sit a 4-year-old with a .45-caliber semiautomatic pistol
loaded? "Police have yet to determine who, if anyone, was guilty of negligence here." Why not go after the parent?

Thank goodness for Citizens Peaceful Walk, protesting concealed weapons
ban. Start putting responsibility where it is supposed to be. Most sportsmen
and sportswomen practice safe firearms handling. It's the criminal element
causing problems. It's not the gun owners' problem.

Patricia A. Resh
Waynesfield

Ohioans lose with no conceal-carry law
Columbus Dispatch & Portsmouth Daily Times

Ohio's Supreme Court, by a 5-2 decision, has now joined the Ohio State Patrol and Governor Taft in the continued depriving of law abiding Ohioans from defending themselves with a concealed weapon. It matters not that [45] other states allow their citizens such defense.

Opponents say this ruling reflects the will of a majority of Ohioans. This is an unproven statement. It has been 144 years (1859) since the law was written and 81 years (1922) since last upheld by the court.
Can anyone deny that crime has increased in the last 81 years? Criminals always have and always will have guns, yet law-abiding Ohioans are deemed unworthy by our Supreme Court of the right to protect ourselves, families and livelihood with a concealed weapon.

Justice Pfeifer, in his majority decision wrote, "prohibiting the carrying of concealed weapons helps maintain an orderly and safe society". No statistics will bear this out.

Men, the stronger of the species, commit rape. Women, the weaker of the species, get raped. Interesting, isn’t it, that two female justices voted to allow concealed carry?

Now is the time for women and all gun owners to make your voice heard. Write, e-mail, phone your Ohio Representative, Senator, and Governor Taft telling them you want a concealed-carry law now, with no unrealistic restrictions.

John Myers
Medina

Concealed carry permits help prevent crime
Zanesville Times Recorder

A few years ago, Texas passed their concealed carry law. During the first year
tens of thousands of concealed carry permits were issued to Texas citizens.
At the end of that year only 17 of those permits had been revoked and not a
single one because of the improper use of a firearm. Your challenge, show me
any other instance where the government issues permits or licenses to its
citizens where the percentage of revocations is that low. State Patrol
claims they are concerned. I'm sure the news media would have been only too
happy to inform us if there has been such an instance.

Stan Wilson
Zanesville

Click here to read Stan's entire letter.