mbott
Member
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NOVEMBER 7, 2003
CONTACT INFORMATION BELOW
Open Carry 'Defense' Walkers from across Ohio will bring their display to
the Statehouse
COLUMBUS . Ohioans For Concealed Carry has announced that activists from
across the state who are interested in protesting legislative obstruction of
concealed carry reform will "openly carry" their sidearms at the corner of
E. Broad St. and N. High St. in downtown Columbus, November 12 at 2:00 p.m.
In recent weeks, hundreds upon hundreds of Ohioans have staged 'Defense'
Walks, in which they openly carry firearms to protest a Republican-dominated
Ohio Supreme Court decision, which ruled that a concealed-carry ban was
constitutional because citizens can carry firearms openly. Many of these
citizens are now making plans to join OFCC's Central Ohio Coordinator,
Gerard Valentino, on a walk around the Statehouse.
"People from every corner of the state have been contacting me for weeks
about wanting to do a Walk near the Statehouse," said Valentino. "I've been
thankful to have obtained the support of the Columbus Police Department. We
look forward to offering a peaceful, silent statement to our elected
officials as they return for session."
These 'Defense' Walks have offered Ohioans a "visual display" of the choice
before us as a result of the Supreme Court ruling: open carry, with no
training, background checks or "defenseless victim" zones, as is current
law; OR a more discrete form of exercising the right to self-defense -
concealed carry, as would be made law with passage of House Bill 12. Now it'
s time to offer the same display for legislators.
"Local organizers have invited many different legislators, including Senate
President Doug White, to more than ten Walks that have been held in various
legislative districts," said Jeff Garvas, OFCC President. "To date, only
Sen. Marc Dann (D-32), accepted an invitation, and joined constituents in
Youngstown. If they can't make Walks in their hometowns, perhaps they can
join us outside the Statehouse."
"With news from the FBI that Michigan's crime rates have been reduced to
less per capita than Ohio for the first time in 40 years in the three years
since they passed their law, Ohioans have become increasingly frustrated
that such a law has not been passed in Ohio," observed Chad Baus, OFCC
Spokesperson. "Just last week, a group of Republican protestors gathered in
Columbus for a fundraising visit by President Bush. They carried signs that
said 'Tax-Hike Taft is a Liability for Bush' and 'President Bush passed CCW
in Texas, Why Won't You, Bob?'"
On Tuesday, frustrated Republican voters sent a message to Bob Taft on Issue
1, and it is a message that should be heard across the nation: "We gave you
this power, and we are watching. If you abuse it, we'll take it back."
CONTACT INFORMATION:
Gerard Valentino
OFCC Central Ohio Coordinator
[email protected]
(614) 778-4874
Chad D. Baus
OFCC Spokesperson
[email protected]
(866) OHIO-CCW x134
NOVEMBER 7, 2003
CONTACT INFORMATION BELOW
Open Carry 'Defense' Walkers from across Ohio will bring their display to
the Statehouse
COLUMBUS . Ohioans For Concealed Carry has announced that activists from
across the state who are interested in protesting legislative obstruction of
concealed carry reform will "openly carry" their sidearms at the corner of
E. Broad St. and N. High St. in downtown Columbus, November 12 at 2:00 p.m.
In recent weeks, hundreds upon hundreds of Ohioans have staged 'Defense'
Walks, in which they openly carry firearms to protest a Republican-dominated
Ohio Supreme Court decision, which ruled that a concealed-carry ban was
constitutional because citizens can carry firearms openly. Many of these
citizens are now making plans to join OFCC's Central Ohio Coordinator,
Gerard Valentino, on a walk around the Statehouse.
"People from every corner of the state have been contacting me for weeks
about wanting to do a Walk near the Statehouse," said Valentino. "I've been
thankful to have obtained the support of the Columbus Police Department. We
look forward to offering a peaceful, silent statement to our elected
officials as they return for session."
These 'Defense' Walks have offered Ohioans a "visual display" of the choice
before us as a result of the Supreme Court ruling: open carry, with no
training, background checks or "defenseless victim" zones, as is current
law; OR a more discrete form of exercising the right to self-defense -
concealed carry, as would be made law with passage of House Bill 12. Now it'
s time to offer the same display for legislators.
"Local organizers have invited many different legislators, including Senate
President Doug White, to more than ten Walks that have been held in various
legislative districts," said Jeff Garvas, OFCC President. "To date, only
Sen. Marc Dann (D-32), accepted an invitation, and joined constituents in
Youngstown. If they can't make Walks in their hometowns, perhaps they can
join us outside the Statehouse."
"With news from the FBI that Michigan's crime rates have been reduced to
less per capita than Ohio for the first time in 40 years in the three years
since they passed their law, Ohioans have become increasingly frustrated
that such a law has not been passed in Ohio," observed Chad Baus, OFCC
Spokesperson. "Just last week, a group of Republican protestors gathered in
Columbus for a fundraising visit by President Bush. They carried signs that
said 'Tax-Hike Taft is a Liability for Bush' and 'President Bush passed CCW
in Texas, Why Won't You, Bob?'"
On Tuesday, frustrated Republican voters sent a message to Bob Taft on Issue
1, and it is a message that should be heard across the nation: "We gave you
this power, and we are watching. If you abuse it, we'll take it back."
CONTACT INFORMATION:
Gerard Valentino
OFCC Central Ohio Coordinator
[email protected]
(614) 778-4874
Chad D. Baus
OFCC Spokesperson
[email protected]
(866) OHIO-CCW x134