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(I support this idea, but not with current legislation)

This is a more complicated issue for the state of Ohio, and it is not something the state should rush into without conducting thorough research. I have encountered studies which have reported conflicting results regarding the public’s opinion on whether or not citizens should have the right to carry concealed weapons for their protection. It seems as the gun activists want to follow the other states in passing laws which permit our citizens to carry concealed weapons because they claim it as a constitutional right. Their rationale, “If we can have guns to protect our homes, why can’t we carry guns to protect ourselves in public?” And they argue that if we pass such a law, who is it going to effect? Surely, it is not going to effect the gun-toting criminal because he is going to get a gun regardless of whether it is legal or not. This law would regulate law-abiding citizens who simply want to protect themselves in public. This a legitimate argument. Several other states have also reported significant drops in crime after similar legislation passed in their state legislatures. However, the statistics are not completely convincing, and thus, a more intensive analysis might provide lawmakers with better insight.

When I first began this campaign, I was very reluctant to support this issue because of fear. Like so many other people, I feared that such a law might drastically increase the number of accidental and domestic violence shootings. We have enough murders already, and let us not forget to tabulate the numbers for suicides and all the misguided vigilantes. But after several contacts, including Jeff Garvas who is president for Ohioans for Concealed Carry and several lengthy conversations with police officers, I have been reconsidering my original position. I still want to review the statistics for each state that has adopted “Concealed Carry” laws and determine if the benefit outweighs the cost. I have even purchased a copy of Dr. John Lott’s More Guns, Less Crime. Dr. Lott is a senior research scholar in the School of Law at Yale University. His research is the most detailed research on this issue to date and he addresses every fear. In his studies, there is a substantial reduction of crime without any major increases in those most feared categories. Will there be similar results if we adopt such a law here in Ohio? That is the real question. Realistically, there is only way to find out this answer, pass such a law here in Ohio.

I could not support this law merely by “trial and error” legislation. How this law would be implemented is critical to whether or not I would support it. Outside of setting the criteria for which individuals would qualify for this privilege and what type of training should they be required to pass before being permitted to carry a concealed firearm, there are many other important factors. I would have to require an annual review of the implementation of this law. In other words, I want our lawmakers to study its effects closely, and if this proves to create a public hazard instead of improving public safety, then this law would be immediately repealed. After five years of positive reviews, then we could consider making a more permanent law. Anytime a state adopts such controversial legislation, there should be several safeguards in place to protect our citizenry. I believe that this may indeed help us fight crime and keep our families safe from harm.

I actually own two guns myself, and I would seek a permit to carry a concealed weapon if such a law were passed here in Ohio. I would expect proper training (especially in the use of force continuum) as well as having to demonstrate my proficiency with the weapon. This training must avoid being cost prohibitive, and yet sufficient to assure the public of its safety. Specific time and place restrictions would also need to be taken into account, and the certification responsibilities determined, as well as the burden that would be placed upon the various county sheriff’s departments. The current legislation falls far short of addressing these issues, and thus it will not likely pass this year. If elected, I am committed to hearing all sides of this issue and developing legislation that all sides can accept. This is not something our state wants to rush into right this moment, but we need to take a more serious look at crime in our state and what we can do to reduce its effects on our society.

Paid for by the Committee to elect Whitman and Clark. 

Treasurer, Lana Whitman, 3716 Co. Rd. 31 South, Bellefontaine, OH 43311