CONCEALED-CARRY ADVOCATES MARCH

(Lima, OH) About 150 residents from across Northwest Ohio strapped on their personal handguns yesterday and marched through an Allen County neighborhood to show support for legislation that would allow Ohioans to carry concealed weapons.

Business owners, factory workers, and retirees were among those who marched. Allen County Sheriff Dan Beck was at the head of the group. Some had their guns strapped firmly to their waists in side holsters while others had them tucked under their arms in shoulder holsters.

All of the guns - from a 22-caliber magnum up to a 44-caliber magnum - were in plain view.

That�s because Ohio law allows residents to carry guns in plain view if in self-defense, just not if they are concealed. Carrying a gun in a vehicle also is illegal because it is considered to be concealed.

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Although a few residents in the Sherwood Park subdivision, just northwest of the city limits, stopped to look at the parade of gun-carrying marchers, the group met with no resistance.

If 150 people are walking down the street packing heat, it would be exceedingly unwise to meet them with resistance.

(Xenia, OH) In southwest Ohio, about 50 gun-toting citizens marched down Main Street to draw attention to the lack of progress on House Bill 12, a proposed concealed-carry law. All guns were in plain sight.

One marcher, Jeffrey Smith of Cincinnati, commented,

�You have only two choices today. You can carry a concealed gun and risk being arrested for that, or you can wear your gun in plain view, and risk being taken in for disorderly conduct, menacing, causing a panic."

The marchers got honks, smiles and several thumbs-up, though their mission was undoubtedly a mystery to some, no signs or placards were allowed.

More marches are planned for next weekend in Cleveland, Toledo and Manchester.