Plain Dealer: Mayors fear bill would allow guns in parks
The anti-gun Cleveland Plain Dealer is reporting that mayors in Cuyahoga County are saying they fear that state lawmakers soon will rob them of the right to bar gun owners from packing pistols in the park.
Newsflash to the Plain Dealer and those mayors - according to the Attorney General of the state of Ohio, state law already prohibits them from enacting these bans, which serve only to render law-abiding citizens defenseless, and do nothing to prevent predators from targeting helpless park-goers.
Click on 'Read More' for the full story.
From the Plain Dealer:
- A bill approved by the House would strictly limit city control over the carry ing of con cealed weap ons, which was legalized by a state law two years ago. The Senate is considering slightly different legislation.
State Sen. Joy Padgett, a Coshocton Republican, said the state has to tighten the ground rules for carrying concealed weapons because varying city laws leave gun owners uncertain as to where they may tread. With each city adopting different rules, gun owners don't know what's legal as they cross municipal boundaries.
"We have determined that gun laws affecting law-abiding citizens do not deter criminals from carrying wherever they well please," said Padgett, who speaks for the Senate majority on the issue.
Senator Padgett correctly observed that "the criminally minded, they don't care what laws you pass."
Again, from the story:
- The legislation, which also could restrict assault-weapon bans in Cleveland and other cities, had officials worrying at a recent meeting of the Cuyahoga County Mayors and City Managers Association.
The proposed law would not stop cities from keeping guns out of public buildings, a right given to them in the 2004 law.
But Timothy Cosgrove, lawyer for the mayors group, said the legislation appears to prohibit outlawing firearms in parks.
Some cities banned guns from parks after the state's concealed-carry law took effect two years ago. The state law is vague on the question, and the cities wanted to resolve doubt, Cosgrove said.
Senator Padgett address mayors' concerns that the bill would weaken Ohio's antiquated law (Ohio is one of only four states which still cling to "home rule") by observing that home rule applies to local issues, but gun control is a statewide concern. She told the newspaper letting cities tailor gun control would be like permitting them to set requirements for driver's licenses.
House Bill 347 was passed by an overwhelming bi-partisan majority in the Ohio House. There is no good reason why it is being held up by Republican leadership in the Senate, and every day closer to the November elections means fewer gun owners willing to volunteer for campaigns or get out and vote for a Republican party that has once again talked big but failed to deliver for gun owners.
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