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Excellent Letter to the editor from a LEO RE CCW
WAGC
Member Posts: 81 ✭✭
http://www.news-register.net/letter...12002_let05.asp
Editor, News-Register:
I would like to respond to two news articles that I have collected over the
last two years about Ohio's concealed carry laws.
The first article I have is from December 24, 2000, in which the following
was printed in the bottom of the editor's column, that if Gov. Taft didn't
oppose the "Concealed-Carry" Law, that it would be a "gift to violent
criminals" and he shouldn't abandon his opposition for any reason. It also
included the mention that law enforcement agencies have opposed
"Concealed-Carry" for good reason.
The second is to respond to a letter to the editor from Sept. 8, 2002. The
writer cautioned Ohioans to take note and think long and hard before they
pass the Concealed Weapons Carry Permit Bill in that state.
As a police officer with 17 years on the Wheeling Police Department, what in
God's name do you mean by a gift to criminals? A concealed carry law is good
for that state. It requires the lawful citizen to pass a background check by
law enforcement officials, (in our state, the sheriff). Then the person has
to apply, attend and pass a licensed N.R.A. (yes, that's the National Rifle
Association) gun handling school where they are taught to safely handle and
shoot the firearm that they have chosen to carry. They are instructed in the
legal aspects that surround carrying that deadly weapon, when you can pull
it out, point it and the consequences from its use.
After all this is done, they receive their license. In our state it expires
every four years.
Criminals never choose to do anything legally. They don't get driver's
licenses when they are suspended, insurance when they are required, nor do
they stay out of trouble when there are laws to stop them.
What you are telling the legal citizens of Ohio is that you do not trust
them! Even after passing a background check, (that a criminal could not
pass), taking a class, (which costs money) and coming forward to take the
responsibility of citizenship, which included honesty, integrity,
compassion, intelligence, and courage. You see, it takes a courageous man or
woman to step forward when they are about to become a victim and say "I will
not have this done to me or my family" and be willing to face the
consequences of that conviction.
As for the subject of the Sept. 8 letter, when a man has the right to carry
and commits to all the legal paper work that is required for this type of
situation, it did not surprise me that this happened. In fact, with these
new laws and rule changes, we should have a few more before everyone catches
on. The man mentioned in the letter gave me the impression that he didn't
know he was doing something that the state has given him the right to do
without legal ramification. After being instructed, he removed himself and
the weapon to come back in and conduct his business as he should be allowed.
My only question is, why didn't the state notify all holders on the
concealed carry list that we have at H.Q., that they would no longer be
allowed with their weapons in a secured facility.
In response to the first article, Ohioans, I want you to know that in the
state of Florida years ago, they faced the same problem with the need to
pass a concealed carry law. Criminals controlled the street without fear of
being stopped by a citizen with a firearm. Things got so bad that the
legislation was passed.
The response was overwhelming. The number of permits passed out was
astronomical in the first three months of the law being passed. It was also
remarkable what happened to street crime. It dropped more than 70 percent.
It's funny how criminals are afraid to catch a bullet for their acts. It
kind of makes them look like cowards! Oh, by the way, it didn't turn into
the wild, wild west like it was predicted to do so, by the media.
As for law enforcement, in the 17 years I've put in, I have had the pleasure
of being sent on two calls where the armed citizen was covering the criminal
while I put the cuffs on the bad guy. The first was a man that broke into an
auto on the island. When I got there, he was still leaning on the window of
the vehicle while the citizen covered him. That ended with a conviction for
auto burglary.
The second was a burglary in progress in South Wheeling. When I arrived, the
burglar was sitting on the living room floor with his hands on his head,
while the citizen kept him covered. His pants were stuffed with items taken
prior to being caught. That ending was a conviction for burglary.
I have to applaud these people and all others that make my job easier. Those
are the ones that chose to not take it any more and step forward to defend
what is rightfully theirs. Thanks.
When it comes to having a concealed weapon, Ohioans, stand up for what is
already rightfully yours.
As for all citizens with concealed carry permits, let me say, I am not in
fear of you, only the others (criminals).
Cpl. Albert Postlewait Jr., Wheeling Police Department
The Second Amendment IS our Homeland Security
Editor, News-Register:
I would like to respond to two news articles that I have collected over the
last two years about Ohio's concealed carry laws.
The first article I have is from December 24, 2000, in which the following
was printed in the bottom of the editor's column, that if Gov. Taft didn't
oppose the "Concealed-Carry" Law, that it would be a "gift to violent
criminals" and he shouldn't abandon his opposition for any reason. It also
included the mention that law enforcement agencies have opposed
"Concealed-Carry" for good reason.
The second is to respond to a letter to the editor from Sept. 8, 2002. The
writer cautioned Ohioans to take note and think long and hard before they
pass the Concealed Weapons Carry Permit Bill in that state.
As a police officer with 17 years on the Wheeling Police Department, what in
God's name do you mean by a gift to criminals? A concealed carry law is good
for that state. It requires the lawful citizen to pass a background check by
law enforcement officials, (in our state, the sheriff). Then the person has
to apply, attend and pass a licensed N.R.A. (yes, that's the National Rifle
Association) gun handling school where they are taught to safely handle and
shoot the firearm that they have chosen to carry. They are instructed in the
legal aspects that surround carrying that deadly weapon, when you can pull
it out, point it and the consequences from its use.
After all this is done, they receive their license. In our state it expires
every four years.
Criminals never choose to do anything legally. They don't get driver's
licenses when they are suspended, insurance when they are required, nor do
they stay out of trouble when there are laws to stop them.
What you are telling the legal citizens of Ohio is that you do not trust
them! Even after passing a background check, (that a criminal could not
pass), taking a class, (which costs money) and coming forward to take the
responsibility of citizenship, which included honesty, integrity,
compassion, intelligence, and courage. You see, it takes a courageous man or
woman to step forward when they are about to become a victim and say "I will
not have this done to me or my family" and be willing to face the
consequences of that conviction.
As for the subject of the Sept. 8 letter, when a man has the right to carry
and commits to all the legal paper work that is required for this type of
situation, it did not surprise me that this happened. In fact, with these
new laws and rule changes, we should have a few more before everyone catches
on. The man mentioned in the letter gave me the impression that he didn't
know he was doing something that the state has given him the right to do
without legal ramification. After being instructed, he removed himself and
the weapon to come back in and conduct his business as he should be allowed.
My only question is, why didn't the state notify all holders on the
concealed carry list that we have at H.Q., that they would no longer be
allowed with their weapons in a secured facility.
In response to the first article, Ohioans, I want you to know that in the
state of Florida years ago, they faced the same problem with the need to
pass a concealed carry law. Criminals controlled the street without fear of
being stopped by a citizen with a firearm. Things got so bad that the
legislation was passed.
The response was overwhelming. The number of permits passed out was
astronomical in the first three months of the law being passed. It was also
remarkable what happened to street crime. It dropped more than 70 percent.
It's funny how criminals are afraid to catch a bullet for their acts. It
kind of makes them look like cowards! Oh, by the way, it didn't turn into
the wild, wild west like it was predicted to do so, by the media.
As for law enforcement, in the 17 years I've put in, I have had the pleasure
of being sent on two calls where the armed citizen was covering the criminal
while I put the cuffs on the bad guy. The first was a man that broke into an
auto on the island. When I got there, he was still leaning on the window of
the vehicle while the citizen covered him. That ended with a conviction for
auto burglary.
The second was a burglary in progress in South Wheeling. When I arrived, the
burglar was sitting on the living room floor with his hands on his head,
while the citizen kept him covered. His pants were stuffed with items taken
prior to being caught. That ending was a conviction for burglary.
I have to applaud these people and all others that make my job easier. Those
are the ones that chose to not take it any more and step forward to defend
what is rightfully theirs. Thanks.
When it comes to having a concealed weapon, Ohioans, stand up for what is
already rightfully yours.
As for all citizens with concealed carry permits, let me say, I am not in
fear of you, only the others (criminals).
Cpl. Albert Postlewait Jr., Wheeling Police Department
The Second Amendment IS our Homeland Security
Comments
All that paperwork creates a waiting period, and when some people go for a permit to carry, they are in immediate danger. This period of time is when things are generally going to happen. As far as I'm concerned, if the gun was purchased legally, then the gun is able to be carried legally. If someone needs to know the legal ramifications of carrying, I suggest talking to your father, or your attorney, or going to an NRA instruction class on your own recognizance. We're supposed to be adults here, so therefore, taking action that is adult-worthy is all that's needed here. As another point, our legislators could quit passing more and more arbitrary laws and clean up the books a little.
Gun control is always unconstitutional!!!!
Death to Tyrants!!!
Jesus Christ believed in the right to keep and bear arms, Luke 22:36.
-Gunphreak
if your going to be a savage, be a headhunter
Article I is under attack through Campaign finance Reform and Separation of Church and State.
Article II is under the most oppressive attacks of all of them.
Article III can easily become fodder for Standing Armies once the Posse Comitatus is rewritten or removed.
Article IV is targeted through Homeland Security, un-PATRIOT Act, gun registration, and the proposed National ID Act.
Article V, VI, VII, and VIII are being revoked to many people right now, in custody with no charges applied, in connection with Sept. 11th, 2001
Article IX, the heart of our rights, which says our rights cannot infringe on other's rights to life liberty and pursuit of happiness, has been in judicial upheaval for years, even decades, now, and with things like hate legislation, quotas, frivilous law suits, and several other acts and laws that make those of us who obey the laws fodder for some other idiot who things they have been wronged by you or something you've done.
Article X has always been relative. EX. That sham of a law, the Klinton "assault" weapon ban has actually been superceded in the Sozialist Republik of Kalifornistan, when it is expressed as the law of the land, it is covered by law, and was not left out, but yet, it is reserved for the state to enact laws on one that should be the law of the land.
This is serious stuff. Blink and we could all be without and rights other than the one to exist, not to be mistaken for live.
Death to Tyrants!!!
Jesus Christ believed in the right to keep and bear arms, Luke 22:36.
-Gunphreak