| OFCC in the news with HB 324 |
|
|
|
| Written by Jeff Garvas | |
| Friday, 12 August 2005 | |
|
Commentary by Larry S. Moore, OFCC Senate District 10 Coordinator: WDTN TV 2, Dayton, is running a story about the just introduced HB 324. I was interviewed today for this story. The WDTN accurately quotes me as saying OFCC opposes this legislation and will encourage members and concealed handgun license holders to contact their legislators. The WDTN story also reports that Wright State University, Fairborn, officials as supporting the new law that will prohibit the CHL holder from entering a college or university parking lot with their handgun. The news story as aired at 6:00 PM did include a quote from me regarding the fact that this law is chipping away at the hard won right of concealed carry and self-defense. What the story does not report is the rest of the quotes I provided. This law is addressing a non-problem. As we all know the CHL holder is not the problem. The areas around many universities are not the best in town and represent significant dangers to students of all ages. I also said that rather than attempting to roll back or limit the places CHL holders may carry, I believe we should be encouraging the CHL to carry and broadening the places where concealed carry is legal. I presented information stating that most public area multiple victim shootings are carried out in places where guns are banned. I fail to understand why legislators, and now Wright State University officials, want to increase the risk to citizens and students. It defies the very logic and education the universities should be providing their students. This affects more than just students. Any adult who may travel to the college for an art show, a speaker, or public forum will be subjected to traveling unarmed and defenseless. Quite simply, this proposed legislation is senseless! One thing is certain, university officials carry a lot of influence with local legislators. If you read this, then please send a letter to your legislators asking that this bill not see the light of day in the Ohio House. We can not afford to let bills like this infringe on our hard won right to self-defense in Ohio. WDTN TV 2 promised to follow this legislation. I've had a good working relationship with the station. They provided favorable coverage when I hosted the Xenia Self-Defense Walk. Let's hope they keep following it and that the pro-self defense side gets a little more coverage. Rest assured that OFCC will continue to follow this legislation also. Please read the earlier story regarding HB 324 and help out by contacting your representatives. "Interested parties should use the ALET System, erase the template letter and write your representatives insisting that they not allow us to take steps backwards when the current restrictions on university property already go too far." |