Concealed-carry can be deterrent to crime

I wanted to check in on the current controversy surrounding the right of law-abiding citizens to carry concealed weapons in Ohio ["Officers says concealed guns increase danger," Dec 11]

The vast majority of states already have adopted legislation authorizing concealed carry, and none has reported any significant problems as a result. In fact, in many states where concealed carry is permitted, violent crime has decreased. (read more) As the elected sheriff of one of the fastest-growing counties in Ohio, I as well as many of my counterparts in Ohio's 88 counties support concealed carry by law-abiding. The Buckeye Sheriffs' Association (BSSA) has gone on record supporting concealed carry. To suggest, therefore that the Ohio law-enforcement community is opposed to such an initiative is incorrect.

I would further suggest that had citizens aboard the ill-fated flights of Sept. 11 been armed, the tragedies would either not have occurred in the first place or would have been thwarted. I sincerely believe that many law-enforcement officials who do not support concealed carry by law-abiding citizens are more concerned with continuing their tight control over the citizens we serve rather than legitimate officer safety considerations. The bad guys already carry weapons in total disregard of the law that they routinely ignore on a regular basis. To suggest that an armed, law-abiding citizenry presents a real threat to law-enforcement officers smacks of paranoia and is a serious insult to our populace.

Please count me among the many law-enforcement officers of all ranks in Ohio who strongly support the right of our law-abiding citizens to take reasonable steps to defend themselves. I have every hope that Judge Ruehlman will concur with this perspective in invalidating Ohio's current archaic and oppressive concealed-weapons law.

-A.J. Rodenberg Jr.
Clermont County Sheriff
Batavia