MONDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2001
County officials differ on concealed-gun law
By Ryan Good
Staff Writer
The right to carry a concealed weapon is a hot topic, even in Seneca County.
Ohio is one of only seven states nationwide that does not have a law that allows its citizens to carry concealed guns. But such a law is being considered in Columbus.
"You look at the statistics coming out of those states that have the right to carry, they're not having the problems people thought they were going to have with accidental shootings. Crime was going down in those areas," says Seneca County Sheriff Tom Steyer.
Not everyone is in favor of the right to carry concealed.
"It's a big mistake. I support the right to bear, but the chances to make a mistake are high. You can't pull a bullet back," acting Tiffin Police Chief Capt. Frank Iannantuono says.
One concern with the right to carry concealed is the safety of children around those who are carrying a gun.
"Some kids call someone a name, and they pull a gun," Iannantuono says.
Steyer says, "You look at kids being shot accidentally, you probably have more people injured and maimed on scooters then from any type of guns in Ohio."
Another concern is that people who are carrying a gun concealed are going to abuse the right.
"It's a big mistake when people start taking the law into their own hands," Iannantuono says.
"I think those people who are going to carry guns, are out there carrying guns, they are not about to change. The rest of the people that are going to take the time and effort to go through and qualify I don't think are going to cause problems," Steyer says.
The Fraternal Order of Police falls in the middle of the argument.
"The Tiffin FOP has no position on such legislation because at this time it does not exist. It is the position of our FOP that we do not oppose the concept of some type of permit to carry firearms in Ohio. However, we believe that any legislation introduced must be both reasonable and fair," says Scott Lantz, president of the Tiffin Lodge of the Fraternal Order of Police.
The prototype of concealed weapons laws are in Texas.
In Texas, several forms have to be filled out. Then there is a background check, followed by a mental health check and a tax check. There is also a written test, a test with the gun and 15 hours of class time to go through, says Keith Haley, professor of Criminal Justice at Tiffin University.
"People fail the tests," says Haley, who went through the training with the Plano and Dallas, Texas, police departments.
There are also restrictions about where someone is allowed to carry concealed weapons in Texas. In most public places, such as schools and police stations, it is not allowed. A person cannot carry concealed into a restaurant if the restaurant's revenue is over 50 percent alcohol. It is also not allowed if a person is traveling more than two counties from home, Haley says.