Toledo, Ohio Newspaper Article Support Concealed Carry
Concealed carry laws curb gun violence

Toledo Police Chief Mike Navarre and Col. Kenneth Morckel of the Ohio
Highway
Patrol, among others, oppose concealed carry weapons (CCW) laws for fear of
increased gun violence. But where has this happened?

The Centers for Disease Control reported that gun deaths in the United
States
dropped more than 25 percent during the mid-1990s, and gun-related injuries
fell by nearly half. During that time the number of states with CCW permits
increased. The Violence Policy Center, an anti-gun group, recently reported
that violence in states with CCW laws fell. On an absolute scale, states
with
CCW laws have significantly lower violent crime rates. Translation: Multiple
sources point to lower gun-related violence despite more states allowing
concealed carry.

The recent presidential election further disproves their fears. Florida?s
CCW
law earned it the nickname “Gunshine State.” During the post-election
fracas,
heated arguments between opposing crowds ensued. How many shootings were
there in a state with a “shall-issue” CCW system? None.

Skeptical law enforcement officers have become believers. For example,
Dallas
Police Association President Glenn White said, “I lobbied against the law in
1993 and 1995 because I thought it would lead to wholesale armed conflict.
That hasn?t happened. All the horror stories I thought would come to pass
didn?t happen. … I think it has worked out well, and that says good things
about the citizens who have permits. I?m a convert.” In every new CCW state,
law enforcement officials, politicians, and newspapers have admitted their
fears were unfounded.

When it comes to public policy, however, Chief Navarre and Colonel Morckel
should check other states before speaking. Either they are ignorant of other
states? results, or they believe Ohio residents are incapable of managing
the
responsibility that residents of other states have proved they can handle.
Which is it?

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