Ohio Supreme Court ruling overturns two unanimous lower courts in split decision

11:30 a.m. Statement from Ohioans For Concealed Carry:

We are disappointed that the Ohio Supreme Court has failed on this issue and abridged this fundamental right of Ohioans for a third time in this state's history.

The court has contradicted itself by saying that citizens may exercise this fundamental right by carrying openly without concerns for public safety, but that wearing a concealed firearm is somehow unsafe to society as a whole and must be regulated by our legislature.

There is no logic in the majority's ruling.

As dissenting Justice Maureen O'Connor pointed out, the law today "is as offensive as a statute allowing the arrest of anyone who speaks in public, but permitting the speaker to prove at trial that the speech was constitutionally protected".

It is incumbent upon Ohio Senate President Doug White to stop his
obstruction of House Bill 12, appoint conferees, and send a bill to Gov. Taft's desk.

Ohioans For Concealed Carry was a co-plaintiff in this lawsuit, and is Ohio's largest grassroots organization focused solely on restoring Ohioans' right to bear arms for self-defense. A more detailed response will be issued after we have had time to study the entire ruling.