Friday, August 25, 2006
I read an opinion editorial in a Toledo newspaper regarding the recent rest area incident in which a man was shot and robbed. I couldn't agree more with the writer of the article.
The point the writer made was this - why should we be denied the right to self defense in certain areas? You see, in Ohio if you possess a carry conceal permit you must abide by state laws which dictate where you can and cannot carry your weapon. Criminals however don't seem to be compelled by the same laws. It would seem that the ideal place for you to get robbed is an area where YOU THE LAW ABIDING CITIZEN are forbidden to protect yourself.
A citizen of Ohio is permitted to apply for a permit to carry a concealed weapon. The resident wishing to obtain this permit must complete a course and pass a test administered by the state and presented by a competent instructor. MY instructor is/was a member of a swat team. Not only did MY instructor teach us how to handle the weapon, but gave us some practical training as well. There were people who did NOT pass the tests. This instructor was so thorough about safety that for me, it bled over into areas not relating to carring a concealed weapon.
People that have a license to carry a gun have that permit to protect themselves and their family. In Ohio it is NOT legal to defend your personal property by shooting a thief. The permit is for the purposes of defending yourself if you feel your life has been threatened or the life/lives of a family member. The law is specific on this and when you attend and complete your training course (by the way, I got 100%) you are certified to be knowledgable of these laws - that's not to say you can practice law nor does it mean you are a police officer, it only means that you have knowledge and understanding of these laws and will obey them.
Having said all of this, doesn't it make sense that the state that licenses us to protect ourselves would let us protect ourselves in the areas known to be dangerous?
Please write your congressman today!!
The point the writer made was this - why should we be denied the right to self defense in certain areas? You see, in Ohio if you possess a carry conceal permit you must abide by state laws which dictate where you can and cannot carry your weapon. Criminals however don't seem to be compelled by the same laws. It would seem that the ideal place for you to get robbed is an area where YOU THE LAW ABIDING CITIZEN are forbidden to protect yourself.
A citizen of Ohio is permitted to apply for a permit to carry a concealed weapon. The resident wishing to obtain this permit must complete a course and pass a test administered by the state and presented by a competent instructor. MY instructor is/was a member of a swat team. Not only did MY instructor teach us how to handle the weapon, but gave us some practical training as well. There were people who did NOT pass the tests. This instructor was so thorough about safety that for me, it bled over into areas not relating to carring a concealed weapon.
People that have a license to carry a gun have that permit to protect themselves and their family. In Ohio it is NOT legal to defend your personal property by shooting a thief. The permit is for the purposes of defending yourself if you feel your life has been threatened or the life/lives of a family member. The law is specific on this and when you attend and complete your training course (by the way, I got 100%) you are certified to be knowledgable of these laws - that's not to say you can practice law nor does it mean you are a police officer, it only means that you have knowledge and understanding of these laws and will obey them.
Having said all of this, doesn't it make sense that the state that licenses us to protect ourselves would let us protect ourselves in the areas known to be dangerous?
Please write your congressman today!!
