Statehouse 'Defense' Walk coming in Columbus!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NOVEMBER 7, 2003
CONTACT INFORMATION BELOW

Open Carry 'Defense' Walkers from across Ohio will bring their display to the Statehouse

COLUMBUS • Ohioans For Concealed Carry has announced that activists from across the state who are interested in protesting legislative obstruction of concealed carry reform will "openly carry" their sidearms at the corner of E. Broad St. and N. High St. in downtown Columbus, November 12 at 2:00 p.m.

In recent weeks, hundreds upon hundreds of Ohioans have staged 'Defense' Walks, in which they openly carry firearms to protest a Republican-dominated Ohio Supreme Court decision, which ruled that a concealed-carry ban was constitutional because citizens can carry firearms openly. Many of these citizens are now making plans to join OFCC’s Central Ohio Coordinator, Gerard Valentino, on a walk around the Statehouse.

"People from every corner of the state have been contacting me for weeks about wanting to do a Walk near the Statehouse," said Valentino. "I’ve been thankful to have obtained the support of the Columbus Police Department. We look forward to offering a peaceful, silent statement to our elected officials as they return for session."

Click on the "Read More..." link below for more.

These 'Defense' Walks have offered Ohioans a "visual display" of the choice before us as a result of the Supreme Court ruling: open carry, with no training, background checks or "defenseless victim" zones, as is current law; OR a more discrete form of exercising the right to self-defense - concealed carry, as would be made law with passage of House Bill 12. Now it’s time to offer the same display for legislators.

"Local organizers have invited many different legislators, including Senate President Doug White, to more than ten Walks that have been held in various legislative districts," said Jeff Garvas, OFCC President. "To date, only Sen. Marc Dann (D-32), accepted an invitation, and joined constituents in Youngstown. If they can’t make Walks in their hometowns, perhaps they can join us outside the Statehouse."

"With news from the FBI that Michigan's crime rates have been reduced to less per capita than Ohio for the first time in 40 years in the three years since they passed their law, Ohioans have become increasingly frustrated that such a law has not been passed in Ohio," observed Chad Baus, OFCC Spokesperson. "Just last week, a group of Republican protestors gathered in Columbus for a fundraising visit by President Bush. They carried signs that said 'Tax-Hike Taft is a Liability for Bush' and 'President Bush passed CCW in Texas, Why Won't You, Bob?'"

On Tuesday, frustrated Republican voters sent a message to Bob Taft on Issue 1, and it is a message that should be heard across the nation: "We gave you this power, and we are watching. If you abuse it, we'll take it back."

CONTACT INFORMATION:

Gerard Valentino
OFCC Central Ohio Coordinator
[email protected]
(614) 778-4874

Chad D. Baus
OFCC Spokesperson
[email protected]
(866) OHIO-CCW x134

HISTORY: Click here for a complete list of past 'Defense' Walks.

WHERE NEXT: Click here for information on the Norwood, Columbus and Wilmington 'Defense' Walks, and on plans for future Walks.