| Lorain County Joins in Lawsuits |
|
|
|
| Written by Daniel White | |
| Friday, 13 April 2007 | |
|
Lorain County has become the latest to file suit seeking to overturn Ohio's Media Access Loophole, according to a story in The Chronicle-Telegram. County Sheriff Phil Stammitti sued Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland and Ohio Attorney General Marc Dann on Wednesday, asking a county judge to declare unconstitutional a 2004 state law that requires Stammitti to provide the names of those who apply for concealed carry permits to journalists. Clermont County, Mercer County, and Erie County have already filed suits, with Mercer County already deciding that the information could be released to just about anyone. OFCC will continue to work with the legislature and courts in our two-pronged approach to getting this discriminatory and potentially dangerous loophole closed. Unlike in the past, this time, we appear to have the Governor backing us up: Dann’s office had no comment on the lawsuit and Strickland spokesman Keith Dailey also declined to comment on the specifics of the lawsuit. But Dailey said Strickland opposes allowing anyone — including journalists — to review who has a permit. Related stories: OFCC Raises Awareness of Media Access Loophole Ohio Sheriffs Challenging Journalist Exception |