braindead0
Member
My wife sent a pro-CCW letter to the Ohio State Patrol (who opposes CCW in vehicles). Here was the response, pretty much chock full of baseless assertions and apples/oranges comparisons.
I thought everybody might like to see what idiots we have here ;-)
----- Original Message -----
From: "wwwOHP" <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, May 05, 2003 9:52 AM
Subject: Re: CCW in Ohio
There are two elements of most concealed weapon legislation: the right to carry a loaded gun and the right to conceal that gun. The Ohio State Highway Patrol has opposed previous concealed weapon legislation because of the element of loaded weapon concealment within motor vehicles. There is no statistical or anecdotal evidence which supports that concealment and transportation of a weapon in a motor vehicle is effective or safe as a defensive or deterrent measure. Conversely, there is significant statistical evidence that carrying loaded firearms in motor vehicles is a catalyst for the loss of life; for both law enforcement and civilians.
With a lack of empirically significant studies, the alleged cause and effect link between concealed gun legislation and crime rates is tenuous at best. In fact, no legitimate organization has made empirically-based claims of cause and effect between lower crime rates and concealed weapon legislation. Instead, the two are mentioned together and a cause and effect inference made. Comparatively, anti-concealed weapon groups also lack strong empirical evidence refuting any benefits of overall concealed weapon legislation. In essence, there is not strong empirical evidence to support either side of this issue.
However, there are strong cases for limiting where concealed weapons should be allowed. For example, tragic school shootings, courthouse massacres, liquor establishment murders, have prompted bans on locations where concealed weapons are allowed, even in states where licenses are issued. Particularly with incidents of road rage, increasing traffic congestion, the increasing pace of society, and high emotions on our highways, there is ample evidence why concealed weapons should not be allowed in motor vehicles.
Because the fundamental nature of motor vehicles allows those who feel threatened to simply drive away, the argument that motorists need loaded concealed weapons is weak. Law enforcement officers, however, do not have the option of driving away. Unfortunately for dozens of officers each year, concealed weapons in a vehicle prove deadly. Despite attempts to paint those who kill officers as career criminals, the fact is that not all who killed officers last year would have been prohibited from carrying a concealed weapon. If these people are, in a fit of rage, willing to shoot police officers, they certainly will not hesitate to kill those they confront on our roadways.
New legislation normally addresses a problem, either existing or potential. Fortunately, in part due to the efforts of Ohio's law enforcement officers, Ohio has not experienced an epidemic which would dictate loading our vehicles with concealed guns. Ohio Revised Code 2923.16 states, "No person shall knowingly transport or have a firearm in a motor vehicle, unless it is unloaded, and is carried in one of the following ways:
(1) In a closed package, box, or case;
(2) In a compartment which can be reached only by leaving the vehicle;
(3) In plain sight and secured in a rack or holder made for the purpose;
(4) In plain sight with the action open or the weapon stripped, or, if the firearm is of a type on which the action will not stay open or which cannot easily be stripped, in plain sight."
It is the Patrol's position that any modification of this statute is not only unnecessary, but also unwise. The men and women of the Ohio State Highway Patrol, their loved ones, and law enforcement supporters stand together in strong opposition to allowing concealed weapons in motor vehicles.
Sincerely,
Colonel Paul D. McClellan
Superintendent
Ohio State Highway Patrol
I thought everybody might like to see what idiots we have here ;-)
----- Original Message -----
From: "wwwOHP" <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, May 05, 2003 9:52 AM
Subject: Re: CCW in Ohio
There are two elements of most concealed weapon legislation: the right to carry a loaded gun and the right to conceal that gun. The Ohio State Highway Patrol has opposed previous concealed weapon legislation because of the element of loaded weapon concealment within motor vehicles. There is no statistical or anecdotal evidence which supports that concealment and transportation of a weapon in a motor vehicle is effective or safe as a defensive or deterrent measure. Conversely, there is significant statistical evidence that carrying loaded firearms in motor vehicles is a catalyst for the loss of life; for both law enforcement and civilians.
With a lack of empirically significant studies, the alleged cause and effect link between concealed gun legislation and crime rates is tenuous at best. In fact, no legitimate organization has made empirically-based claims of cause and effect between lower crime rates and concealed weapon legislation. Instead, the two are mentioned together and a cause and effect inference made. Comparatively, anti-concealed weapon groups also lack strong empirical evidence refuting any benefits of overall concealed weapon legislation. In essence, there is not strong empirical evidence to support either side of this issue.
However, there are strong cases for limiting where concealed weapons should be allowed. For example, tragic school shootings, courthouse massacres, liquor establishment murders, have prompted bans on locations where concealed weapons are allowed, even in states where licenses are issued. Particularly with incidents of road rage, increasing traffic congestion, the increasing pace of society, and high emotions on our highways, there is ample evidence why concealed weapons should not be allowed in motor vehicles.
Because the fundamental nature of motor vehicles allows those who feel threatened to simply drive away, the argument that motorists need loaded concealed weapons is weak. Law enforcement officers, however, do not have the option of driving away. Unfortunately for dozens of officers each year, concealed weapons in a vehicle prove deadly. Despite attempts to paint those who kill officers as career criminals, the fact is that not all who killed officers last year would have been prohibited from carrying a concealed weapon. If these people are, in a fit of rage, willing to shoot police officers, they certainly will not hesitate to kill those they confront on our roadways.
New legislation normally addresses a problem, either existing or potential. Fortunately, in part due to the efforts of Ohio's law enforcement officers, Ohio has not experienced an epidemic which would dictate loading our vehicles with concealed guns. Ohio Revised Code 2923.16 states, "No person shall knowingly transport or have a firearm in a motor vehicle, unless it is unloaded, and is carried in one of the following ways:
(1) In a closed package, box, or case;
(2) In a compartment which can be reached only by leaving the vehicle;
(3) In plain sight and secured in a rack or holder made for the purpose;
(4) In plain sight with the action open or the weapon stripped, or, if the firearm is of a type on which the action will not stay open or which cannot easily be stripped, in plain sight."
It is the Patrol's position that any modification of this statute is not only unnecessary, but also unwise. The men and women of the Ohio State Highway Patrol, their loved ones, and law enforcement supporters stand together in strong opposition to allowing concealed weapons in motor vehicles.
Sincerely,
Colonel Paul D. McClellan
Superintendent
Ohio State Highway Patrol
