Posted on 09/22/2002 8:42:24 AM PDT by mountaineer
I would like to respond to two news articles that I have collected over the last two years about Ohio's concealed carry laws. The first article I have is from December 24, 2000, in which the following was printed in the bottom of the editor's column, that if Gov. Taft didn't oppose the "Concealed-Carry" Law, that it would be a "gift to violent criminals" and he shouldn't abandon his opposition for any reason. It also included the mention that law enforcement agencies have opposed "Concealed-Carry" for good reason.
The second is to respond to a letter to the editor from Sept. 8, 2002. The writer cautioned Ohioans to take note and think long and hard before they pass the Concealed Weapons Carry Permit Bill in that state.
As a police officer with 17 years on the Wheeling Police Department, what in God's name do you mean by a gift to criminals? A concealed carry law is good for that state. It requires the lawful citizen to pass a background check by law enforcement officials, (in our state, the sheriff). Then the person has to apply, attend and pass a licensed N.R.A. (yes, that's the National Rifle Association) gun handling school where they are taught to safely handle and shoot the firearm that they have chosen to carry. They are instructed in the legal aspects that surround carrying that deadly weapon, when you can pull it out, point it and the consequences from its use.
After all this is done, they receive their license. In our state it expires every four years.
Criminals never choose to do anything legally. They don't get driver's licenses when they are suspended, insurance when they are required, nor do they stay out of trouble when there are laws to stop them.
What you are telling the legal citizens of Ohio is that you do not trust them! Even after passing a background check, (that a criminal could not pass), taking a class, (which costs money) and coming forward to take the responsibility of citizenship, which included honesty, integrity, compassion, intelligence, and courage. You see, it takes a courageous man or woman to step forward when they are about to become a victim and say "I will not have this done to me or my family" and be willing to face the consequences of that conviction.
As for the subject of the Sept. 8 letter, when a man has the right to carry and commits to all the legal paper work that is required for this type of situation, it did not surprise me that this happened. In fact, with these new laws and rule changes, we should have a few more before everyone catches on. The man mentioned in the letter gave me the impression that he didn't know he was doing something that the state has given him the right to do without legal ramification. After being instructed, he removed himself and the weapon to come back in and conduct his business as he should be allowed. My only question is, why didn't the state notify all holders on the concealed carry list that we have at H.Q., that they would no longer be allowed with their weapons in a secured facility.
In response to the first article, Ohioans, I want you to know that in the state of Florida years ago, they faced the same problem with the need to pass a concealed carry law. Criminals controlled the street without fear of being stopped by a citizen with a firearm. Things got so bad that the legislation was passed.
The response was overwhelming. The number of permits passed out was astronomical in the first three months of the law being passed. It was also remarkable what happened to street crime. It dropped more than 70 percent. It's funny how criminals are afraid to catch a bullet for their acts. It kind of makes them look like cowards! Oh, by the way, it didn't turn into the wild, wild west like it was predicted to do so, by the media.
As for law enforcement, in the 17 years I've put in, I have had the pleasure of being sent on two calls where the armed citizen was covering the criminal while I put the cuffs on the bad guy. The first was a man that broke into an auto on the island. When I got there, he was still leaning on the window of the vehicle while the citizen covered him. That ended with a conviction for auto burglary.
The second was a burglary in progress in South Wheeling. When I arrived, the burglar was sitting on the living room floor with his hands on his head, while the citizen kept him covered. His pants were stuffed with items taken prior to being caught. That ending was a conviction for burglary.
I have to applaud these people and all others that make my job easier. Those are the ones that chose to not take it any more and step forward to defend what is rightfully theirs. Thanks.
When it comes to having a concealed weapon, Ohioans, stand up for what is already rightfully yours.
As for all citizens with concealed carry permits, let me say, I am not in fear of you, only the others (criminals).
As such, one must assume that these "gun-grabbers" are not genuinely concerned with the lives of their fellow citizens to any measure, and rather are power-seeking statists of the first order.
Amen.
That - and the quoted column by the retired officer - show a profound split between ordinary street cops and the politicians-with-badges called "police chiefs" who must make sure their public remarks don't offend mayors or city councils they report to. That's why sheriffs and police chiefs in the same county often sound so different about gun issues.
The fact that chiefs often say diametrically-opposite things to advice their street-level officers quietly give citizens shows this split.
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Most "rank and file" police officers support CCW laws. It only the chiefs (politicians) in the big cities that oppose them.
As such, one must assume that these "gun-grabbers" are not genuinely concerned with the lives of their fellow citizens to any measure, and rather are power-seeking statists of the first order.
Why many politicians and bureaucrats champion gun-grabbing special interest groups.
The Cycle of "Justified" Violence
Politicians and bureaucrats "justify" keeping their jobs and reelection by protecting the citizens from criminals. If there's not enough criminals they create a boogieman followed by laws to protect the people from it. Thus creating a new category of criminals. Lock up the boogieman-pot-smokers and let the violent criminals reenter society so they can create more violent crimes and the people will speak out against the violence and cry out for politicians and bureaucrats to do their job. The cycle of justified violence.
Parenting out to child care workers and schools
Civic responsibilities out to politicians
Worship out to preachers and churches
Protecting their families out to law enforcement agents
Thinking out to the media and other 'authorities'
Creativity and productivity out to corporations
and the result is the mess we're in today.
This officer works for a city of about 30,000 with a fairly low crime rate. Most violent crime in that city stems from drug dealers from Cleveland and Detroit who come to the Ohio Valley to ply their trade. Thus far, the chief hasn't made any official pronouncement on the concealed carry issue.
You said it all!!!!!!!!!
Thanks.
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