Ohio Troopers Coalition Opposes Carry and Conceal Legislation

    COLUMBUS--Oct. 1, 2001--The Ohio Troopers Coalition, which represents Ohio's 1,500 state highway patrol troopers, sergeants and dispatchers, officially announced its opposition to legislation pending in the General Assembly allowing adults to carry concealed weapons. Especially objectionable, troopers say, are provisions in both bills that allow for concealed weapons in automobiles.
    "Two words sum up our objections best -- road rage," said Jim Roberts, Executive Director of the Ohio Troopers Coalition. "Take what everyone knows is happening more and more on our roadways with angry drivers, and then add handguns to that mix," Roberts said. "You don't have to be a chemist to see that formula is going to blow up in our faces."
    Roberts said the incidents of road rage in the last five to six years has changed driving safety drastically, and that Ohio's highway patrol troopers are in the line of fire. Legalizing concealed weapons -- especially in motor vehicles -- will place troopers and the driving public in needless danger, Roberts added.
    "Today, if there's any indication of a concealed firearm in a car that's been pulled over, officers take action accordingly," Roberts said of current law. "With carry and conceal made legal, police officers will have to walk up to the driver and just take their chances. That's absolutely crazy."
    Roberts said current law allows for the safe and legal transport of weapons in vehicles, such as for hunters, and that troopers seek no restrictions in that area. Troopers -- most of whom are gun owners themselves -- support a citizen's right to own firearms, either for personal protection, hunting, sport shooting or collecting, he said.
    For all of these reasons, the Ohio Troopers Coalition is opposing House Bill 225 and House Bill 274. Roberts said his organization also intends to appeal to Governor Bob Taft, asking that he remain committed to his opposition to such carry and conceal legislation.