Words above Deeds? Sen. Doug White says ''I want a [CCW] bill.''

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Published on Wednesday, 30 November -0001 00:00

Written by Jeff Garvas

Gongwer News Service --- Senate President Doug White told the Gongwer News Agency Thursday he hopes the House and Governor Bob Taft can reach agreement on a stalled measure that would allow licensed Ohioans to carry concealed weapons "because I want a bill."

The legislation (HB 12) was left pending when the General Assembly recessed in June for the summer. Negotiations collapsed when the House and Mr. Taft's office could not reach agreement on affirmative defense and other provisions. (Actually, they stalled when Sen. White refused to appoint conferees to a committee, as proper legislative procedure requires.)

Senator White (R-Manchester) said his constituents have voiced support for the Senate version of the measure. "The district where I come from, some of the events I go to - dirt track racing - it's amazing that once people understand the bill that left the Senate does allow for concealed carry of loaded weapons, does allow a loaded weapon in the car, although in sight, (they) say 'that sounds good to me,'" he said.

Senator White said he hoped the dispute over affirmative defense could be resolved between the governor's office and the House one way or another. "I can go either way, but the resolution has to come from the House and the governor's office...I want a bill. I think the Senate passed a bill that can become law," he said.

OFCC Commentary:
What about this man has changed since he informed Ohioans that he "won't look to Taft for guidance on gun bill"?

Click on the "Read More..." link below for more.

Judging from his comments, Senator White fails to realize that making Ohio law WORSE for defenseless citizens is no accomplishment.

He also seems to have failed to read the many, many letters which have been sent to his office and to Ohio newspapers, from constituents who sent OFCC a copy as well. They don't read at all like his supposed conversations at the dirt-track.

After both chambers pass different versions of a bill, the legislative process calls for the Speaker of the House and Senate President to appoint members to a conference committee. Speaker Householder did his job. But as has been reported by multiple news outlets across the state, Senator Doug White is refusing to appoint conferees.

Instead, he has relinquished all legislative negotiating authority to the executive branch, to a man White knows has fought concealed carry reform since the day he took office.

In a letter to constituents about his action (and inaction) on HB12, Sen. White reminds voters that the NRA has supported him in past elections. But since the Senate has managed to foul HB12 up so horribly under his leadership, and since the grassroots groups who have endorsed him don't even support the changes, his deeds are clearly speaking much louder than his words. And in a week when yet another innocent Ohioan was killed trying to obey the advice of the Ohio State Highway Patrol on what to do in a carjacking, this reality is even harder to take.


Related Stories:

Unfinished Business: Sen. White touts "accomplishments"

How a Republican (who won't act like one) governor is stalling HB12

Insisting on 'Carjacker Protection': What does Bob Taft have against children?

Who elected Paul McClellan? Who voted for John Born?

Letter to the Editor: Senators disregard safety of constituents' kids

Letter to the Editor: Concealed-carry bill too restrictive

Letter to the Editor: Concealed carry vs. death row clemency

Letter to the Editor: Grassroots effort needed to pass concealed carry

Letter to the Editor: The two faces of Bob Taft

Letter to the Editor: Limits on concealed carry will take the teeth out of it

Letter to the Editor: Let us exercise our gun rights

Letter to the Editor: Concealed-carry bill makes parents targets

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