Posted on 03/13/2003 10:13:36 AM PST by kAcknor
Ohioans who want to carry concealed handguns for their protection will turn their attention to the state Senate now that the House again has voted to allow county sheriffs to issue permits to qualified individuals 21 or older.
Virtually repeating its action of a year ago, the House voted 69-28 to authorize undercover handguns for Ohioans who pass a criminal-background check and a certified course in handling, shooting and storing weapons.
"I expect to handle it expeditiously,'' Senate President Doug White, R-Manchester, said. "We had a full, honest, open, aggressive debate on it late last year. I expect we'll be able to move pretty quickly on it.''
Bill sponsor Rep. James Aslanides, R-Coshocton, said he wanted a bill that would draw overwhelming support in the Senate, perhaps anticipating the need to override a veto by Gov. Bob Taft. He has pledged to veto any measure not supported by a majority of the law-enforcement community.
The Buckeye State Sheriffs' Association backs the bill; the State Highway Patrol opposes it because it would allow loaded weapons in the passenger compartment of a motor vehicle.
Rep. William J. Seitz, R-Cincinnati, led the charge for the bill. "This bill is about putting Ohio in step with the 43 other states that have this law,'' he said, adding that Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Pennsylvania and West Virginia permit concealed weapons. "We are trying to stay in step with the states that are our neighbors.''
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Rep. Lance Mason, D-Shaker Heights, said the bill was well-intentioned but full of loopholes. He said it would not require permit-holders to re-qualify when they renew their permits every four years, nor would it require a refresher course on gun-handling and safety.
"More guns are not the answer,'' Mason said. "I fear catastrophic consequences in Ohio, especially in the urban areas.''
Rep. Keith L. Faber, R-Celina, said rural Ohioans favor the right to carry concealed weapons. Law-enforcement officers need be concerned only with criminals, not with law-abiding citizens, he said.
Faber said his father, a state trooper for 35 years, told him the legislation would not place law-enforcement officers in jeopardy.
But Rep. Joseph F. Koziura, D-Lorain, said: "This is the year 2003, and if we call ourselves a civilized society, we ought to vote 'no' on this bill.''
Rep. Tom Brinkman Jr., R-Cincinnati, tried without success to eliminate the training requirements and the criminal-background check, which includes fingerprinting. Concealed weapons should be allowed "with the least amount of hassle,'' he said. "Law-abiding citizens have the right to bear arms for their defense and protection.''
Aslanides warned that the state could wind up with unregulated concealed weapons, as Vermont has, if the Ohio Supreme Court rules the current ban on concealed weapons is unconstitutional. The high court will hear arguments April 15 on an appeal from a Hamilton County ruling on the law.
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Link requires registration, but the body of information is included here.
Here is the link: The Columbus Dispatch
The HP is only trying to protect their officers from accidently shooting an innocent motorist who carelessly displays the weapon for the officer to see.
kAcknor Sez:
The HP here is as political as any of them. The leaders are appointed and must "toe the line" to keep their jobs. The reason is simply an outrageous excuse. To have it their way, the only time you could carry is when you were walking!!
"bImejDI' reH betleHlIj yItlhap" (Never leave home without your bat'telh.)
kAcknor Sez:
Truth is, I don't mind the training so much. I don't actually like it, but can see good there.
I hope you are correct about the court. We have waited years while certian representatives slow-leaked this issue. If the Ohio Supreme Court voids the law completly, you will see the fastest action ever. ;)
Then we can hope for our guys to do the blocking!
"ta'mey Dun, bommey Dun." (Great deeds, great songs)
Boob Taft is just another cynical RINO who gives less than 2 hoots for our constitutional rights while his wife browbeats him into sending underage, undercover liquor agents to bust every other pub and carryout in the state.
With buttlicking politicians like Taft, Voinivich and DeWine seemingly the direction of the Ohio GOP, I'm seriously looking at relocating to another state.
They also urged legislators to wait for the Ohio Supreme Court to rule on the Hamilton County CCW case before voting on any additional CCW legislation.
Ohioans for Concealed Carry has links to other articles on the vote and a download of the H.B. 12 bill as passed by the CRJ Committee. www.ofcc.net
Could I be added to the bang list......
kAcknor Sez:
There isn't a "list" anymore. Used to be you would be notified of a list post, but major abuse of the system (in general, people were adding names without permission) forced changes. Just use the link below and copy the address into your Favorites, Bookmarks or whatever.
If you wish to add a post to the list, just add "*bang_list" (no quotes) to a reply address when you post.
Good luck out there on the Left Coast. I survived it for a total of 24 years, then made my escape! ;)
"bImejDI' reH betleHlIj yItlhap" (Never leave home without your bat'telh.)
Or deny them?
kAcknor Sez:
The odds would OK for passage, except for one thing. The Ohio Highway Patrol's requirement to keep weapons non-available to the driver of passengers is being called a "show stopper" just like last time.
So it doesn't matter if it would pass, or if the RINO governor will veto. It wont even come to a vote.
I'd by far prefer that the Senate vote, force the veto, and put it on governor Taft. It's a flawed bill, but it's a bill. Action can be taken later after the fact. Once we get over the psychological hurdle of people having a weapon on he street, changes can be made.
"tIqIpqu' 'ej nom tIqIp" (Hit them hard and hit them fast.)
driver AND passengers
Wish I could type....
RACIST SUBTEXT ALERT!
But they do help keep the numbers of Republicans in the majority in Congress.Better to have them nominally on our side than openly against us while the game is so close.
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