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'Defense' Walkers from Across Ohio to Openly Carry Firearms at the Governor’s Mansion
COLUMBUS • Ohioans For Concealed Carry has announced that activists from across the state who are interested in protesting Governor Taft’s obstruction of concealed carry reform will "openly carry" their sidearms, beginning in a public park at the corner of Parkview and Commonwealth outside the Governor’s Mansion in Bexley, November 30 at 2:00 p.m.
In the past two months, over one thousand Ohioans have staged 'Defense' Walks around the state, at which they openly carry firearms to protest the failure of their elected officials to keep their promises and enact concealed-carry legislation.
Veteran Walkers will join first-timers in an event designed to display Ohioans' frustration with Governor Taft for yet again "moving the cheese", as Sen. Jeff Jacobson describes it, for a bill acceptable to him. Walkers will join OFCC’s Central Ohio Coordinator, Gerard Valentino, and Gahanna Walk co- coordinator Bob Maroldy as they walk around the Governor’s Mansion openly carrying firearms.
"Our Statehouse Walk was a huge success. Over 125 people marched in the middle of a weekday afternoon. After six years of repeated broken promises, I can only imagine the turnout we’ll have in Bexley, rain or shine," said Valentino. "In contrast to past Walks, participants in Bexley will be carrying signs and other visual displays. Some are planning to bring photos of some of the victims who have died trying to follow the State Highway Patrol’s advice on what to do when attacked in one’s car. I’ve been thankful to have obtained the support of the Bexley Police Department, and we look forward to a peaceful event."
The Ohio Supreme Court ruled in September that openly carrying a firearm is a fundamental right protected by our state Constitution. Anyone who can own a handgun legally can carry that firearm openly in Ohio, yet the legislation that exists in forty-five states and that Governor Taft has continually obstructed requires mandatory training, a background investigation, and a forty-five day application process. It is now time to show Bob Taft what he is forcing Ohioans who choose to defend themselves to do: openly carry firearms for self-defense.
When he first ran for Governor Bob Taft told gun owners he’d pass concealed carry reform, only to add his law enforcement support demand right before the election. After the two largest law enforcement groups accepted the Governor’s terms, Taft issued a new demand - that the State Highway Patrol, which he controls, support the bill. The Patrol bureaucracy has demanded that laws that exist today be removed from the bill to garner their support. They insist that citizens don’t need a firearm in their car because they can drive away from carjackings. Unfortunately, that kind of advice has resulted in the deaths of at least two Ohioans this summer, while most states allow anyone who owns a firearm to carry it in their car without a license.
“After promising he would sign the controversial Senate version, Taft has yet again attempted to change the rules of the game by insisting the conference committee violate established conference rules and address an open records issue that has been addressed and defeated in nearly every state to adopt concealed carry this year,” said Jeff Garvas, president of Ohioans For Concealed Carry. “Lawmakers in the House and Senate who have been reluctant to override a veto from a Governor of their own party must understand no bill will ever earn Taft’s approval. If they want to keep their promises to constituents on self-defense, they need to be willing to do it without Bob Taft."
"Since Michigan passed their reform in 2000 their crime rates have reduced to less per capita than Ohio for the first time in 40 years, Ohioans have become increasingly frustrated that such a law has not been passed in Ohio," observed Chad Baus, OFCC Spokesperson. "Last summer, Governor Taft, from a privileged upbringing, raised taxes without understanding or concern for the financial hardship everyday citizens feel during an economic downturn.”
“For six long years, he has proven he also has no concern for the increasing number of defenseless victims in our state. His demands that the committee address a new issue affirm that he doesn't understand legislative procedure any better than he understands crime. His arrogance and indifference to the deceased and their families illustrate that in his mind, no one's life is as important as his own legacy," said Baus.
"Unfortunately, the rest of us can't afford armed bodyguards."
Uploaded: 11/25/2003
COLUMBUS • Ohioans For Concealed Carry has announced that activists from across the state who are interested in protesting Governor Taft’s obstruction of concealed carry reform will "openly carry" their sidearms, beginning in a public park at the corner of Parkview and Commonwealth outside the Governor’s Mansion in Bexley, November 30 at 2:00 p.m.
In the past two months, over one thousand Ohioans have staged 'Defense' Walks around the state, at which they openly carry firearms to protest the failure of their elected officials to keep their promises and enact concealed-carry legislation.
Veteran Walkers will join first-timers in an event designed to display Ohioans' frustration with Governor Taft for yet again "moving the cheese", as Sen. Jeff Jacobson describes it, for a bill acceptable to him. Walkers will join OFCC’s Central Ohio Coordinator, Gerard Valentino, and Gahanna Walk co- coordinator Bob Maroldy as they walk around the Governor’s Mansion openly carrying firearms.
"Our Statehouse Walk was a huge success. Over 125 people marched in the middle of a weekday afternoon. After six years of repeated broken promises, I can only imagine the turnout we’ll have in Bexley, rain or shine," said Valentino. "In contrast to past Walks, participants in Bexley will be carrying signs and other visual displays. Some are planning to bring photos of some of the victims who have died trying to follow the State Highway Patrol’s advice on what to do when attacked in one’s car. I’ve been thankful to have obtained the support of the Bexley Police Department, and we look forward to a peaceful event."
The Ohio Supreme Court ruled in September that openly carrying a firearm is a fundamental right protected by our state Constitution. Anyone who can own a handgun legally can carry that firearm openly in Ohio, yet the legislation that exists in forty-five states and that Governor Taft has continually obstructed requires mandatory training, a background investigation, and a forty-five day application process. It is now time to show Bob Taft what he is forcing Ohioans who choose to defend themselves to do: openly carry firearms for self-defense.
When he first ran for Governor Bob Taft told gun owners he’d pass concealed carry reform, only to add his law enforcement support demand right before the election. After the two largest law enforcement groups accepted the Governor’s terms, Taft issued a new demand - that the State Highway Patrol, which he controls, support the bill. The Patrol bureaucracy has demanded that laws that exist today be removed from the bill to garner their support. They insist that citizens don’t need a firearm in their car because they can drive away from carjackings. Unfortunately, that kind of advice has resulted in the deaths of at least two Ohioans this summer, while most states allow anyone who owns a firearm to carry it in their car without a license.
“After promising he would sign the controversial Senate version, Taft has yet again attempted to change the rules of the game by insisting the conference committee violate established conference rules and address an open records issue that has been addressed and defeated in nearly every state to adopt concealed carry this year,” said Jeff Garvas, president of Ohioans For Concealed Carry. “Lawmakers in the House and Senate who have been reluctant to override a veto from a Governor of their own party must understand no bill will ever earn Taft’s approval. If they want to keep their promises to constituents on self-defense, they need to be willing to do it without Bob Taft."
"Since Michigan passed their reform in 2000 their crime rates have reduced to less per capita than Ohio for the first time in 40 years, Ohioans have become increasingly frustrated that such a law has not been passed in Ohio," observed Chad Baus, OFCC Spokesperson. "Last summer, Governor Taft, from a privileged upbringing, raised taxes without understanding or concern for the financial hardship everyday citizens feel during an economic downturn.”
“For six long years, he has proven he also has no concern for the increasing number of defenseless victims in our state. His demands that the committee address a new issue affirm that he doesn't understand legislative procedure any better than he understands crime. His arrogance and indifference to the deceased and their families illustrate that in his mind, no one's life is as important as his own legacy," said Baus.
"Unfortunately, the rest of us can't afford armed bodyguards."
Uploaded: 11/25/2003