Patrol testifies against allowing loaded weapons in vehicles

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) -- The State Highway Patrol remains concerned about traffic stops that could turn deadly if Ohioans are allowed to carry concealed weapons, a patrol official testified Wednesday.

Capt. John Born argued in favor of keeping in place a ban on carrying loaded weapons in cars.

The House Criminal Justice Committee was expected to vote later Wednesday on whether the full House should pass the revived concealed-weapons bill.

The idea has been debated for nearly a decade. Bills never made it out of the Legislature last year because the House and Senate couldn't resolve their differences.

Click here for the full story from the Associated Press.

Click here for coverage from Toledo's WTOL Channel 11.

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We have been warning about opposition from the Ohio Highway Patrol for weeks now. In "Reality Check for the Ohio Highway Patrol", we told you about Ohio Highway Patrol Capt. John Born expressing the OHP's opposition to any bill that would allow citizens their right to self-defense in an automobile.

In "Burden of Proof: Taft and Highway Patrol have no case against CCW, we provided some of the many examples of how CCW promotes officer safety.

In "Don't Get Borned'' Pt. 2: Many more citizens who couldn't 'just drive away', we provided many, many more accounts of citizens who couldn't "just drive away" when they were attacked in their cars, or who, while driving, came to the aid of fellow human beings who were being attacked.

The fight will likely be won in the Ohio House, but the Senate may be another story. Please click here, to access the list of Senate Committee members, and begin contacting them to voice your opposition to any attempt to add a ban on self-defense in your personal vehicle.