UGLY: Brady Campaign Misrepresenting HB274

The Brady Campaign is ratcheting up their rhetoric machine, aiming to destroy Ohio's Concealed Carry Reform bill currently under consideration in the Senate.

Brady's latest email to supporters employs what has become an unfortunate but expected tactic for anti-gun forces: performing acrobatics with words and facts because they don't want the truth to be known.

In the Nov. 15, 2002 newsletter, Brady claims that "the NRA gun lobby is trying to force Ohio police to let almost anyone carry
concealed handguns in public - even into our playgrounds, shopping malls,
sports stadiums and schools."

FACT: HB274, as passed by the House, does not allow CCW in school safety zones, college campuses, places of worship, airport terminals, courthouses, law enforcement facilities, or places where liquor is being dispensed. OFCC believes this provision creates "victim zones", wherein only persons who don't care about the law and who have criminal intent will be in possession of concealed weapons.

Brady goes on to claim that "Ohio's police strongly oppose the NRA's concealed handgun bill - it is a threat both to the public and to police officers on the street."

FACT: Numerous law enforcement agencies, such as the Buckeye State Sheriffs Association, and the nearly 15% of OFCC's petition signers who are members of law enforcement, have already voiced their support for Concealed Carry Reform. Many Ohio media outlets are reporting that the Fraternal Order of Police labor union is also nearing an eleventh hour agreement to get "on board." The facts from 43 other states with some form of CCW law simply don't bear out the claim that CCW threatens the public or police officers.

Following is the full text of the Brady Campaign's latest rhetoric-infused, fact-challenged letter to supporters, dated Nov. 15, 2002 and aiming to derail HB274 in Ohio:

"The NRA gun lobby is trying to force Ohio police to let almost anyone carry concealed handguns in public - even into our playgrounds, shopping malls, sports stadiums and schools.

Your help is urgently needed to stop the NRA's concealed handgun bill. Please use the link below to email a letter to Gov. Bob Taft asking him to veto this dangerous measure.

To e-mail a letter to Gov. Bob Taft, Click here. The above link already has a written letter to Gov. Taft. All you need to do is email it. If you would like, you can personalize your letter by adding your own comments.

Ohio's police strongly oppose the NRA's concealed handgun bill - it is a threat both to the public and to police officers on the street. But the gun lobby is pushing hard for a quick vote in the legislature's "lame duck" session while no one is paying attention. If the NRA succeeds, police will have to let almost anyone carry hidden handguns.

Please use the above link to contact Gov. Bob Taft today. Urge him to VETO the NRA's concealed handgun bill. Tell Gov. Taft you don't want hidden handguns in your neighborhood.

Please pass this message along to friends, family members, and colleagues. Together we can keep concealed handguns out of Ohio.

"Thumbs up to all of you for your generous support! Together, we will build a safer America." - Jim "The BEAR" Brady

November 15, 2002
http://www.bradycampaign.org
http://www.bradycenter.org
http://www.millionmommarch.org"