Dayton Daily News Publishes Me

The Dayton Daily News contacted Ohioans For Concealed Carry (OFCC) to ask if they could publish an article I wrote to oppose theirs. They did. They changed the title. The only other thing that I wish that I added is to point out that OFCC is non-profit and completely volunteer-based. Not one person sees a penny go to their pocket. I'm so sick of hearing about the evil, billionaire-making "gun lobby." I promise you that no one sent me a check or a virgin to sacrifice...

1) Read their story here.

2) Then read mine below (or at the link I gave first).

3) Then tell me who you believe... the newspaper editor that can't get the changes to the law right? Or me, one of the volunteers that helped average people be part of the biggest "Contact Your Legislator" phone drive in recent history.

Sore Losers Just Don't Get It

I imagine that many Ohio firearm owners awoke this morning refreshed from their slumber that was free from nightmares... Nightmares that won't be able to come true around three months from now... Nightmares about unknowingly becoming a criminal due to crossing a municipal boundary with a handgun that can be legally carried some places and not others with their state-issued Concealed Handgun License. Many probably sipped their morning coffee and smiled while thinking about how nice it will be to never again worry about the ambiguity of Ohio’s car carry restrictions. Hopefully, their celebratory mood wasn’t ruined when they opened their newspaper and saw the expected whining that is likely to prevail for quite awhile.

"It's really arrogant for them to just ignore the will of the people," said Toby Hoover, executive director of one of Ohio’s anti-gun organizations. "It shows they just don't have any respect for us at all. We're terribly disappointed. It's a pretty determined bunch of people in favor of the gun lobby."

Ms. Hoover needs to be reminded of a couple of things. First, she needs to be informed as to what it is that a legislative representative does. Their job description includes listening to their constituents and passing laws that benefit them. This veto override was possible because both Democrats and Republicans listened to “the will of the people”. She says that they ignored it. That just doesn’t add up.

House Bill 347 originally passed a Senate committee, the Senate floor, and the House floor with overwhelming numbers on the same afternoon! It then survived a veto override that is very hard to achieve. Heck… it hasn’t been done since 1977. How was all of this possible? The people wanted it.

"I have to run the Senate based on members of the Senate responding to their constituents," said Senate President Bill Harris, an Ashland Republican. "We've done what our members felt was the right thing to do and we'll stand by it."

This ties in nicely with the second fact that Ms. Hoover needs to stop ignoring… This victory was not achieved by back-room intimidation of an all-powerful and evil “gun lobby”. Such a notion is ludicrous. While Ohioans are greatly indebted to several outfits for their organizational efforts, this legislation survived thanks to thousands of individuals that personally contacted their representatives and told them why these issues are important. Several legislators have stated that HB347 had a grassroots movement behind it that was utterly unprecedented!

Pat yourself on the back, Ohio. Enjoy this time of celebration. However, remember that battles still lie ahead. Several anti-gun mayors are already on record saying that they will ignore the overwhelming voice of Ohioans and challenge this law before it goes into effect 90 days from now. Thankfully, each of us have already proven that we are up to that challenge and willing to do what it takes for our rights to prevail.