| Ken Blackwell Answers OFCC Survey |
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| Written by Daniel White | |
| Monday, 28 November 2005 | |
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Ohio gubernatorial candidate Ken Blackwell is the second candidate to respond to the Ohioans For Concealed Carry Gubernatorial Survey. 
The survey was created by OFCC and sent to all gubernatorial candidates for the 2006 election so that their views on firearms and the second amendment could be made clear to Ohio voters.
As we expected, Mr. Blackwell's answers reflect a staunch support of the right to keep and bear arms. Law abiding citizens always should have the option to own and use firearms. We must fight any attempt to threaten these guarantees. (Click 'READ MORE' to read all of his answers...) 1. Article 1, section 4 of the Ohio Constitution reads, “The people have the right to bear arms for their defense and security; but standing armies, in time of peace, are dangerous to liberty, and shall not be kept up; and the military shall be in strict subordination to the civil power.” How do you think that applies to the ability of Ohio citizens to own firearms in this day and age? Both the federal and state constitutions grant our rights to bear arms. Law abiding citizens always should have the option to own and use firearms. We must fight any attempt to threaten these guarantees. 2. In January of 2004, the Ohio legislature passed Amended Substitute H.B. 12, providing for a concealed handgun license for Ohio citizens. If you had been governor at the time, would you have signed that legislation into law? Please provide a brief explanation. Yes. However, I preferred the language in the original bill. As governor, I would have pushed for its passage and signed it into law. 3. “Statewide preemption” is a concept that is currently being considered in the Ohio legislature. Do you feel that firearms laws are best managed at the state level, or that individual communities have the right under “home rule” to determine for themselves what laws and restrictions are best suited to their citizens? I am working with the legislature on statewide preemption. Allowing municipality's free reign on laws and restrictions is threatening our constitutional right to bear arms. Home rule legislation creates confusing and inconsistent prohibition. This jeopardizes law abiding citizens' rights and safety. 4. Do you feel that the “plain sight” requirement for carrying a firearm in a motor vehicle under the provision of a concealed handgun license is an unnecessary restriction, or that it contributes to the safety of law enforcement officers? This provision creates the potential for no fault felonies. It warrants further review, and possibly amending. 5. The City of Columbus recently passed an “Assault Weapons Ban” in the wake of the expiration of the Federal ban. Do you feel that such legislation helps to reduce violent crime? No. A weapons ban only affects law abiding citizens. Criminals, not guns, are the problem. 6. Florida recently passed, and Michigan is currently considering, legislation removing the duty to retreat from a self-defense situation and allowing any citizen to stand his/her ground if attacked in a place he/she has a legal right to be. Would you support or oppose similar legislation if it was introduced in Ohio. I support any legislation that protects the safety of Ohioans. 7. Do you feel that the government should disarm citizens in times of emergency as was done in New Orleans? Absolutely not. In such a time it becomes even more important to have armed citizens. It guarantees the safety of your family and neighbors from the violent elements in our society. 8. We believe education is true prevention. States such as Florida have adopted legislation mandating statewide education of youngsters using the NRA's "Eddie Eagle" program. This program teaches children who come across a gun to "STOP! Don't Touch! Leave the Area! Tell an Adult!" and never users images of guns in its material. Ohio has approved minimal funding for this program in the past, but never implemented it as a mandatory safety precaution. Would you support or oppose legislation to mandate this training in classrooms statewide at an age when we teach children to "Stop, Drop, Roll!"? I would support such legislation. 9. Current law allows for any bona fide journalist to obtain the list of concealed handgun licensees in Ohio. Do you feel that this is an invasion of privacy or an important oversight function? Yes, it is an invasion of privacy. I will encourage the legislature to correct this problem, and will sign the corrective legislation. 10. Do you feel that “gun free zones,” locations where firearms are prohibited even with a concealed handgun license, are important for safety and should be expanded or are unnecessary restrictions and should be reduced? Please provide examples for expansion or reduction. Gun free zones should be reduced. The law in its current form is too broad. We need to define gun free zones with more clarity. 11. Ohio law does not allow anyone other than on-duty law enforcement officers to carry a firearm into any establishment in which alcohol is being dispensed under a class D license. Would you, as governor, support or oppose legislation allowing concealed handgun licensees to carry a firearm in those premises, provided the licensee was not under the influence of an alcoholic substance, and was not consuming alcoholic beverages? I would not support carrying firearms in businesses whose primary purpose is the sale of alcohol. However, all restaurants should not be grouped into this category. I would support a fifty-one percent rule, similar to Texas, which determines the primary purpose of the establishment. If more than fifty-one percent of their business is alcohol sales, then you could not carry in that establishment. 12. Ohio is a melting pot of cultures. Many Ohio residents are classified as “resident aliens” who live in this country legally, but have chosen for one reason or another not to seek citizenship. These “non US Citizens” are permitted to purchase and own firearms, and regularly pass the National Instant Check System (NICS) when purchasing a firearm. Would you support or oppose legislation prohibiting non-US Citizens from obtaining concealed handgun licenses in the State of Ohio? I support the right of all Ohioans to exercise their second amendment freedoms. 13. Do you have any statements you would like to add to clarify your position? I am a life member of the NRA and a true advocate for Ohio gun owners. I will continue to work with the legislature to fix the problems with H.B. 12 and create statewide preemption legislation. I will sign these legislative victories into law as your next Governor. I have been endorsed by the Gun Owners of America and I look forward to adding your organization to my team. Click here to view Ken Blackwell's original fax. Mr. Blackwell's responses to our survey were received via fax and were entered into this story manually. Any errors that are not faithful representations of his actual answers are ours alone. This story may be reprinted partially or in its entirety if Ohioans For Concealed Carry is clearly credited as its source and a link or reference to www.OhioCCW.org is included in the reprint. |