Flawed CC Bill Now Sits On Desk of Ohio Governor Bob Taft

Well, those individuals and organizations in Ohio who wanted any kind of concealed carry bill just to get something started, got their way. And what a tangled mess it is. It is a compromise bill and it shows. Hopefully, the legislation will die from Gov. Bob Taft's threatened veto, and the House and Senate will be unable to override the legislation.

While the Peoples Rights Organization's board has not voted on this statement, this is the viewpoint of PRO Chairman Brent Greer. PRO, Ohio's largest grassroots gun rights organization, has been a respected and steadfast proponent of legislation to reform Ohio's antiquated ban on concealed carry, and has had a presence in this issue longer than any organization, with the exception of the National Rifle Association.

On Dec. 10, the Ohio House of Representatives and Ohio Senate approved badly crafted compromise legislation that would permit Ohioans who have passed thoroughly invasive background checks to receive a concealed carry permit. But the compromise bill does not provide for an affirmative defense in an automobile, and adding insult to injury, the names of permit holders would be available to reporters in the media, if requested. The House vote was 69-27. The Senate vote was 25-8. The votes followed marathon hearings; meetings and behind closed doors arm-twisting.

Gov. Taft has threatened to veto the bill because he believes the entire list of permit holders should be made available to the media. "If this happens, these names will surely be made public via newspaper, radio and television stories, thereby negating the purpose of keeping criminals wondering who is carrying a concealed firearm for protection," says Peoples Rights Organization Chairman Brent Greer. "The Governor kept raising the bar and the Ohio General Assembly stepped right into his trap. Now, even after he and others who were willing to blindly compromise gave him what he wanted, which is unacceptable to most Ohioans, who merely want the right to defend themselves when they leave the safety of their homes. He insists on a provision that will surely result in home invasions and attacks by criminals seeking to steal guns to finance drug habits and other criminal ventures."

According to Senate and House leadership, which PRO has worked long and hard with on the concealed carry issue, the House is going to try to override a veto. They may well succeed. News reports state that Senate President Doug White does not believe he has the votes to override a Taft veto. What is disappointing is that the House and Senate decided to take anything they could get, rather than cleaning up House Bill 12 from the beginning and removing its many restrictions and provisions.

Added Greer, "This is a gun control bill pure and simple. PRO has historically opposed the concept of permits, but realized that this approach would likely be passed. What is most threatening to Ohioans' safety is the idea that the media should be able to obtain names of permit holders. Gov. Taft, the Ohio FOP, the Ohio Highway Patrol and others' continual stalling tactics or appeasement's have gutted what was a highly flawed bill to begin with. Plus, from Day One, the NRA-ILA has done everything the can to get anything passed so they can claim victory in Ohio. In the view of many Peoples Rights Organization members around the state, this bill is more dangerous than no bill at all. And no law is better than a bad law."

PRO members who wish to let their opinions on this matter be known should contact Gov. Bob Taft's office, or their state representative and state senator.