Second Amendment Foundation Supports Ohio Group's Effort to Repeal Illegal Gun Laws

7/8/2004

From: Alan Gottlieb of the Second Amendment Foundation, 425-454-7012; Web: http:// www.saf.org

BELLEVUE, Wash., July 8 -- The Second Amendment Foundation (SAF) today endorsed an effort by the Ohioans For Concealed Carry (OFCC) to force cities in Ohio to rescind illegal ordinances that violate the state's new concealed carry statute.

OFCC has advised communities in the Buckeye State by mail that they have until the first week of August to repeal ordinances that attempt to restrict the lawful carry of concealed handguns by citizens who are legally licensed to do so under the new statute.

SAF Founder Alan Gottlieb noted, "SAF was a lead plaintiff in the court battle that ultimately convinced state lawmakers to pass this legislation. Our case also produced the state Supreme Court ruling that affirmed the right of Ohio citizens to openly carry sidearms for personal protection. We're not going to ignore our supporters and good friends in Ohio at this point, because they happen to be right.

"This kind of thing isn't happening only in Ohio," Gottlieb observed. "In every state where sensible concealed carry legislation has passed recently, anti-gunners have gone out of their way to confuse and restrict law-abiding citizens who have every right to arm themselves against criminal assault. These insidious attempts to defy state statute, wherever they occur, must be stopped, and we applaud the OFCC effort."

So far, it appears the communities of Clyde and Arcanum are the worst offenders, but other communities have adopted very carefully worded measures that appear to be designed only to confuse gun owners about where they may legally carry.

"It's time for petty Ohio officials to stop playing word games with the rights of their constituents," Gottlieb stated. "Residents of these communities should remember the city officials responsible for these ordinances, and demand an explanation when they campaign in the fall."

The Second Amendment Foundation is the nation's oldest and largest tax-exempt education, research, publishing and legal action group focusing on the Constitutional right and heritage to privately own and possess firearms. Founded in 1974, The Foundation has grown to more than 600,000 members and supporters and conducts many programs designed to better inform the public about the consequences of gun control. SAF has previously funded successful firearms-related suits against the cities of Los Angeles; New Haven, CT; and San Francisco on behalf of American gun owners, a lawsuit against the cities suing gun makers & an amicus brief & fund for the Emerson case holding the Second Amendment as an individual right.