Feb 04
Saturday
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2012 Fun 'n Gun! Ohioans For Concealed Carry would like to invite our members
to join OFCC leadership at the Eighth Annual OFCC Fun 'n Gun!   This fun event will be hosted this year by the Tactical Defense Institute! Join instructors from both OFCC and TDI as we kick off spring with a bang!
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OFCC Sues City of Cleveland Heights, Ohio The sign you see here is posted in Cleveland Heights Parks implying possession of a firearm is a crime. On Friday August 12th, 2011 Ohioans For Concealed Carry Filed a lawsuit against the City the City of Cleveland Heights. The litigation comes after many attempts to resolve concerns over laws that Cleveland Heights not only allowed to remain on their books, but also posted signs at their parks that continue to imply it is illegal to be armed. The City of Cleveland Heights has chosen to ignore our attempts at civil discourse. When individuals have contacted them representing themselves as residents of the City of Cleveland Heights their concerns apparently fell on deaf ears. When representatives of the organization have formally contacted the city's legal representation they've been laughed at and hung up on by the Law Director. It is this arrogance and refusal to work with Ohioans For Concealed Carry that has forced us to seek a remedy through the courts.
Our press release follows.
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Canton PD Event Leads to New OFCC Legislation When officer Harless of the Canton, Ohio police department came upon a vehicle stopped in the roadway most of us were focused on getting restaurant carry legislation signed into law. What took place that evening has become an international viral video, calls for the resignation of the City Council president, and criminal charges against a man who is clearly heard trying to state that he has a license. Ohioans For Concealed Carry has not just raised thousands of dollars in a legal defense fund, but we've written legislation to resolve this matter that Representative Danny Bubp has stated he's going to introduce this fall
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Michael Quigley, Idiot of the Day PDF Print E-mail
Written by Philip Mulivor   
Sunday, 24 July 2011 17:39

It's hard to imagine that this type of thing actually happens -- even in Congress, where today almost anything is possible.

Today's Idiot, Rep. Michael Quigley, came up with a truly idiotic idea. He recently attempted to amend a bill so that firearms purchases would automatically be denied to anyone who shows up on the federal government's half-baked, bureaucrat-driven, infamously useless "terrorist watch list."

Fortunately, a majority of his colleagues on the U.S. House Judiciary Committee didn't agree with Quigley's plan to deny an enumerated Constitutional right to U.S. citizens whose names end up on a secret government list. His proposal was booted out of committee.

What an Idiot.

It may come as no surprise that Quigley, a democrat, represents a district in Illinois, the last remaining state to deny its citizens a means to apply for a concealed carry permit.
 
Canton PD Notification Arrest & Officer Conduct PDF Print E-mail
Written by OFCC News   
Wednesday, 20 July 2011 20:53
It's being called "The cop heard 'round the world"... This Canton Concealed Carry arrest is a perfect example of why the law on "mandatory notification" needs to be changed quickly.

This video is real life evidence of a re-occurring problem in Ohio law with gun owners: The poorly defined "promptly inform" law leaves a gaping opportunity for police officers to cite a gun owner with a misdemeanor when they can't find anything else to charge that person with, or when they want to make an example of that person for carrying a firearm. In this particular case the officers are so focused on their own demands that they completely miss multiple opportunities to be "promptly informed" by the licensee. At least once when an officer is climbing around his car, and only minutes later when finally approached by an officer at his door the man tries to say "I have a carry..." but is interrupted.

With his license to drive a car and carry a handgun in each hand the man's well intentions are obvious. He never breaks his mild mannered temper even while being threatened with execution while hand cuffed. This is not a man who was trying to hide the fact that he was armed from anyone.

Watch our audio enhanced original version right here (and embed/link to it anywhere you think would be appropriate). OFCC has hidden the license plate, muted audio revealing that plate, and some other irrelevant personal identifying information.



WARNING: Video contains raw audio. Only license data, personal identifying audio, and eight minutes trying to identify who the male passenger was were edited out. Video contains a substantial amount of vulgarity. Copyright: This video is annotated, transcribed, edited to remove portions irrelevant to the case at hand, and audio enhanced by Ohioans For Concealed Carry. The video is Copyright 2011 by Ohioans For Concealed Carry and may not be "re-used" without our express written permission. However: Anyone may embed this video in their website by using YouTube embed code, but if you download and re-upload it to YouTube we will enforce our copyright through YouTube. Please link to it, don't steal it.

All Updates Here The blue outlined area of this page will contain chronological updates about the case and the political aspects thanks to the Canton City Council President. If you're looking to make a contribution to the legal defense fund, please do so via the links in the red section below. We are receiving an unprecedented amount of positive emails from people all over the United States. If we have not gotten back to you, please understand we're a group of volunteers who spend most of our days at work!

CCW CHARGES DISMISSED BY JUDGE AFTER PROSECUTION RESTS THEIR CASE!

 FINALLY: Today the concealed carry related charges against Barlett were dropped after the Prosecution rested its case and the defense made a motion to dismiss, or acquit, under Criminal Rule 29. This is being described to us as a conclusion that the state (or, Canton Prosecutor) didn't make a case beyond reasonable doubt. The judge agreed with that motion and Bartlett entered a guilty plea for being "stopped in the roadway", which consisted of a minor fine and court costs.

November 9th and 10th: The prosecutor is pursuing charges against William Bartlett and the trial is now formally scheduled to occur on Wednesday November 9th (possibly extending into November 10th). Ohioans For Concealed Carry requests your attendance if you can make this trial and fill a seat in the court room. If you want to make it clear who you are, consider purchasing an Ohioans For Concealed Carry shirt ASAP from our webstore and wear it in the courtroom. For more information about attending the trial please be sure to read this thread in our discussion forums. This area of our website (http://OhioCCW.org/CantonPD) will be updated if ANYTHING changes with respect to trial.

Motions to dismiss: The defense attorney representing Mr. Barlett made motions to dismiss the charges against William and to suppress certain evidence against Barlett. Those motions were all denied and the trial is moving forward as described above.

Trial Postponed 10/5/11: The City of Canton trial against William Bartlett was scheduled to begin tomorrow, October 6th. That trial is postponed at this time. During a previous pre-trial evidence suppression hearing before the judge Bartlett's attorney made a motion to dismiss the case against Bartlett. That motion, along with others to suppress evidence, is pending a ruling by the court.

Disciplinary Postponed: The Canton Repository reported that the Disciplinary Hearing was postponed until December 1st. The criminal charges against William Bartlett remain to be pursued by the City of Canton, with a trial still scheduled for October 6th, 2011. A suppression hearing is scheduled for September 28th, where the defense will request unknown evidence to be suppressed from the trial on grounds unknown to OFCC at this time.

Officer Harless Disciplinary Hearing: 9/7/2011 Safety Director Thomas Ream has scheduled a disciplinary hearing for September 7th, according to This Canton Repository Story published August 23rd. According to the article the punishment for a "Level A" violation ranges from 30 days off to being fired, and can either be real time or paid by "trading in" time accrued. The Police Union can request a continuance of the hearing date. It is not clear if the public can attend

 Trial Scheduled: 10/6/2011: The City of Canton is proceeding with a trial against Mr. Bartlett on Thursday, October 6th, 2011 at 9:00am. Ohioans For Concealed Carry is determining if it makes sense for supporters to appear on the first day of trial or another day. For more information on the court click here. SUBJECT TO CHANGE AT ANY TIME

Pre-Trial: 8/22/2011: A pre-trial is scheduled again for Monday the 22nd. As of this time we anticipate this to be a meeting between the defense attorney and the prosecutors with no public courtroom appearances. There is no date scheduled for an actual trial at any time in the future.We consider this unusual at this point.

Pre-Trial: 8/8/2011: A pre-trial is scheduled again for Monday the 8th. As of this time we anticipate this to be a meeting between the defense attorney and the prosecutors with no public courtroom appearances.

 Legislation: Ohioans For Concealed Carry has been working on legislation to repeal the mandatory notification law. This wouldn't stop an officer from asking you if you had a firearm, but would instead eliminate the very serious crime that William and many before him in very similar situations were charged with. We're thrilled to announce that Representative Danny Bubp is working with us to introduce this legislation this fall.

Pre-Trial: 8/1/2011: A pre-trial for William Bartlett was scheduled, but did not happen. The prosecutor on the case has been changed and the pre-trial has been rescheduled. At this point in time we highly encourage you to sign up for our Ohio Gun Owner Alerts in the red box. When an actual real trial date is finalized we will be aggressively encouraging people to attend the proceedings in person.

Trending Behavior:The Canton Repository has revealed that Officer Harless is now under investigation for a second incident involving his temper. Video: Officer Harless loses his temper on another arrest - The Police Chief has indicated, according to the Canton Repository, that the police department will forward "one package" of the two investigations to the City Safety Director. It appears Harless' fascination with shooting people and sleeping well the same evening continues in this video.

Resignations: Ohioans For Concealed Carry has called for the resignations of both Schulman and Harless. So far, one news media outlet has already picked up the story: Gun group calls for Schulman, Harless to resign

Officer Status: We know that Officer Harless has been relieved of his duties. We believe that he is on administrative leave with pay or sick pay. Ohioans For Concealed Carry does not anticipate the City of Canton to pursue criminal or administrative charges against Harless until the criminal case against William Bartlett is resolved - this is consistent with many other departments and not unique to this situation, but all the more reason the charges against Bartlett should be dropped. Please understand that Officer Harless, like any of us, is entitled to due process and the presumption of innocence.

UPDATE 7/26/2011: Canton Council President Alan Schulman made a fool of himself at a Council hearing where he refused to address the issue but goes on to literally whine about the emails they're getting from outside of Canton, Ohio. He blames the problem on firearms and says that people shouldn't be allowed to be armed "in the worst of times" His 15 minutes of fame can be found here: On YouTube as well. Schulman missed an opportunity to state that city leaders won't stand for this, they find what happened to be unacceptable, and they intend to do the right thing. Instead, Schulman ignored the underlying issues at hand and complained about his inbox and his political position on firearms. The opportunity to display leadership was lost on Schulman Monday night.

UPDATE 7/22/2011: Canton Police announced Thursday 7/21 that the officer was relieved of all duties in June following an internal investigation complaint filed in this matter. The local Canton Repository has done some additional investigatory work into the officers and an excellent analysis of the video / audio we posted. The video and story has gone both viral and national crossing over to websites not typically affiliated with the pro-gun movement. Shortly after 7:00pm Thursday our website could no longer handle the volume of visitors we were receiving. We promptly quadrupled the resources behind OhioCCW.org in light of the popularity of this story.
How You Can Help

This case needs your help.  Please contribute to the Legal Defense Fund so that we can help William's attorney represent him against failure to inform charges with Canton Municipal Courts.  Contribute To The Legal Defense Fund.

To get regular updates as they become available, sign up for alerts by providing your email address here.

Discussion Here in our forums. Readable, but free registration required to post.
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You Never Know PDF Print E-mail
Written by Gary Witt   
Sunday, 24 July 2011 08:43

Sometimes when we talk to people about concealed carry we wonder how or if our words and actions will make a difference in the attitude, outlook and decisions of others. Other times we may wonder what prompts a business decision to post or remove “no guns” signs. OFCC member Sean Maloney found out both after teaching a CHL class earlier this year.

Sean contacted OFCC on July 21st about a former student who talked to him regarding the no guns signs at United Dairy Farmer stores. In his words “I had an UDF Official take my CCW Class and he informed me they were considering it...... He informed me last week that the policy change was official, the signs were coming down.....” He also wrote that he was told by his former student that the regional managers had been removing them as they visited each store, and that UDF phones were ringing because CCW holders noticed.

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Cleveland man returns fire on robbers PDF Print E-mail
Written by Daniel White   
Friday, 22 July 2011 21:44

The Cleveland Plain Dealer is reporting another self defense case, this time at a Cleveland scrap yard.

Two men allegedly attempted to rob the scrap yard and fired shots at an employee, grazing him in his stomach. The would-be victim returned fire, hitting one robber in the leg and sending the other running. Both suspects were soon arrested by police.

It is not known if the employee has a concealed carry license and was carrying concealed. Regardless, this is yet another example of a lawfully armed citizen being able to fend off violent criminal attack. As good as they are, the police arrived after the attack had taken place and would have been too late to stop the intended crime. Fortunately, Cleveland's attempt at rendering Ohio's gun laws invalid within city limits failed.
 
Joe DeCecco, Idiot of the Day PDF Print E-mail
Written by Philip Mulivor   
Wednesday, 20 July 2011 17:37

Joe DeCecco, District Attorney in Sheboygan County, Wisconsin, has openly expressed his contempt for his state's new concealed carry law.

This summer, Wisconsin became the 49th state to pass a CCW law. When the new law kicks in on Nov. 1, Wisconsin will join 40 other "shall-issue" (or no-permit-required) states, and its citizens will benefit from a significant restoration of firearms rights.

All this irritates Joe DeCecco. In a press release dated July 13, he whines about a provision in the law that limits police access to the state's CCW database:  They can check it only to confirm the validity of a CCW permit. That sounds like a good law that respects the privacy of Wisconsin citizens.
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