Preacherman
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From the Toledo Blade (http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20031013/NEWS17/110130141):
Concealed-carry allies take to the streets
Advocates displaying handguns march in Allen Co. neighborhood
By ERICA BLAKE
BLADE STAFF WRITER
LIMA - Evelyn Fedele knows she doesn’t always work in the safest neighborhoods.
A contractor who remodels homes, Ms. Fedele admits she’s often nervous while at work. Being able to carry her gun to work each day would change that, she said.
Ms. Fedele, 47, was one of about 150 residents from across the region who strapped on their personal handguns yesterday and marched through an Allen County neighborhood. Organized by supporters of legislation that would allow Ohioans to carry concealed weapons, the march was one of three scheduled in the state yesterday.
"I’m pretty physically fit. I feel I can take care of myself, but the reality is that I can’t if the other person has a gun," said Ms. Fedele, a Lima resident for 20 years. "I’m not out to harm anybody, but I feel really good when I can go in these areas with my gun."
Business owners, factory workers, and retirees were among those who marched. Allen County Sheriff Dan Beck was at the head of the group. Some had their guns strapped firmly to their waists in side holsters while others had them tucked under their arms in shoulder holsters.
All of the guns - from a 22-caliber magnum up to a 44-caliber magnum - were in plain view.
That’s because Ohio law allows residents to carry guns in plain view if in self-defense, just not if they are concealed. Carrying a gun in a vehicle also is illegal because it is considered to be concealed.
The Ohio Supreme Court last month ruled the state’s law banning concealed weapons is constitutional. Legislation to create concealed weapon laws has not made it through the General Assembly. The general feeling at yesterday’s march was that the bills were being held up for fear of being vetoed by the governor.
The governor has said he would sign a bill if it has background checks, training, and support from law enforcement.
Sheriff Beck, whose wife and children also walked the seven-block march, said he is personally aware of gun owners who are carrying concealed weapons for protection - many of them victims of stalkers or in an abusive situation. He said his department won’t mess with them although they are technically breaking the law.
"Under Ohio law, if gun owners [feel] their lives are in danger, they can carry a gun to church, to day care, as long as it is in plain view," the sheriff said.
Bob Cornwell, executive director of the Buckeye Sheriffs’ Association, said Friday his organization long has supported concealed weapons legislation.
"We support the right of residents to have concealed weapons, as long as they have the proper permits issued by their sheriff," he said.
Other police organizations, including the Ohio Highway Patrol, have lobbied against concealed-weapon legislation.
Chad Baus, the northwest Ohio coordinator for Ohioans for Concealed Carry, said more walks will be planned to show the average resident what state law does allow. Yesterday, he learned of one being planned for Swanton on Sunday.
"The purpose of the walk is to show the absurdity of upholding the law," the Archbold resident said.
"Are we getting our point across? Absolutely. We’re here walking with guns, and we’re not getting arrested."
Although a few residents in the Sherwood Park subdivision, just northwest of the city limits, stopped to look at the parade of gun-carrying marchers, the group met with no resistance.
Concealed-carry allies take to the streets
Advocates displaying handguns march in Allen Co. neighborhood
By ERICA BLAKE
BLADE STAFF WRITER
LIMA - Evelyn Fedele knows she doesn’t always work in the safest neighborhoods.
A contractor who remodels homes, Ms. Fedele admits she’s often nervous while at work. Being able to carry her gun to work each day would change that, she said.
Ms. Fedele, 47, was one of about 150 residents from across the region who strapped on their personal handguns yesterday and marched through an Allen County neighborhood. Organized by supporters of legislation that would allow Ohioans to carry concealed weapons, the march was one of three scheduled in the state yesterday.
"I’m pretty physically fit. I feel I can take care of myself, but the reality is that I can’t if the other person has a gun," said Ms. Fedele, a Lima resident for 20 years. "I’m not out to harm anybody, but I feel really good when I can go in these areas with my gun."
Business owners, factory workers, and retirees were among those who marched. Allen County Sheriff Dan Beck was at the head of the group. Some had their guns strapped firmly to their waists in side holsters while others had them tucked under their arms in shoulder holsters.
All of the guns - from a 22-caliber magnum up to a 44-caliber magnum - were in plain view.
That’s because Ohio law allows residents to carry guns in plain view if in self-defense, just not if they are concealed. Carrying a gun in a vehicle also is illegal because it is considered to be concealed.
The Ohio Supreme Court last month ruled the state’s law banning concealed weapons is constitutional. Legislation to create concealed weapon laws has not made it through the General Assembly. The general feeling at yesterday’s march was that the bills were being held up for fear of being vetoed by the governor.
The governor has said he would sign a bill if it has background checks, training, and support from law enforcement.
Sheriff Beck, whose wife and children also walked the seven-block march, said he is personally aware of gun owners who are carrying concealed weapons for protection - many of them victims of stalkers or in an abusive situation. He said his department won’t mess with them although they are technically breaking the law.
"Under Ohio law, if gun owners [feel] their lives are in danger, they can carry a gun to church, to day care, as long as it is in plain view," the sheriff said.
Bob Cornwell, executive director of the Buckeye Sheriffs’ Association, said Friday his organization long has supported concealed weapons legislation.
"We support the right of residents to have concealed weapons, as long as they have the proper permits issued by their sheriff," he said.
Other police organizations, including the Ohio Highway Patrol, have lobbied against concealed-weapon legislation.
Chad Baus, the northwest Ohio coordinator for Ohioans for Concealed Carry, said more walks will be planned to show the average resident what state law does allow. Yesterday, he learned of one being planned for Swanton on Sunday.
"The purpose of the walk is to show the absurdity of upholding the law," the Archbold resident said.
"Are we getting our point across? Absolutely. We’re here walking with guns, and we’re not getting arrested."
Although a few residents in the Sherwood Park subdivision, just northwest of the city limits, stopped to look at the parade of gun-carrying marchers, the group met with no resistance.
