OFCC issues press release on historic developments
OHIOANS FOR CONCEALED CARRY APPLAUDS CONCEALED CARRY REFORM PASSAGE
COLUMBUS - Jan. 7, Ohioans for Concealed Carry (OFCC) is pleased that House Bill 12 is finally going to become law. We support the passage of a concealed carry law as a vital deterrent to violent crime.
With recent news about Ohio's skyrocketing crime rate this legislation is long overdue. Ohio's defenseless citizens deserve a law that will allow them the same right to survive a criminal encounter as citizens in every bordering state, and 44 across the nation now enjoy.
The rash of carjacking incidents, including the one that took Tony Gordon's life while his 13 year-old nephew watched in horror, need to stop. Allowing people the choice to defend their life in a car is vital to the success of concealed carry reform.
"In the wake of Tony Gordon's carjacking murder in Dayton, we've been collecting money for a two-year old girl who will never know her father. Tony's death proved people can't 'just drive away' when attacked in their cars," observed Jim Irvine, OFCC spokesman. "We have long fought to give Ohioans back the choice to defend themselves. They will now have that choice."
OFCC remains opposed to many Senate amendments to HB12, including the recent compromise language which would give the media access to private information of those who obtain licenses.
"A number of concessions were made in the Senate that we know from experience in other states will reduce the crime-deterrent impact of this bill," observed Jeff Garvas, President of OFCC. "We don't like the amendments, but we realize that, due to a few term-limited Republican Senators unwilling to override the governor, the compromise was necessary to be able to get a law."
Rep. Jim Aslanides, R-Coshocton, who sponsored the bill, was unhappy with the concession but said he would agree to it in order to get a bill passed.
"We were engaged in rare procedural moves, due to Taft's changes in commitment to sign the concealed carry bill that was not opposed by law enforcement. We sacrificed our principles to be diplomatic, in order to get a concealed carry law for Ohioans. We will now prove that CCW works, and work to make it better in future legislation," said Aslanides.
While there are many problems with this bill, it will allow law-abiding citizens who have undergone extensive training and background checks to be issued a license to carry a firearm for defensive purposes.
OFCC is encouraged that grassroots Ohio is finally being heard. The twenty-plus 'Defense' Walks, including one in December at the Governor's Mansion, combined with a coalition of more than one quarter of a million Ohioans, demonstrate the broad-based support of a concealed carry reform law.
"Ohio is about to join the rest of the country by allowing its citizens to choose if they need to carry a firearm for self defense," said Garvas. "We are thankful for the leadership of Speaker Larry Householder, and for the hard work of many in the General Assembly. Our volunteers have spent nearly five years working for this day."
Information related to available training classes and how to apply for a license will be available online soon at www.OhioCCW.org.
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