Last weekend, Palm Sunday Weekend, I had the privilege of attending (watching, not taking part in) a training session for Ohio's concealed-carry licensing. I saw all kinds of different people - young, old, female, male, rich, poor - honing their skills to obtain the right to carry a concealed weapon in Ohio.
My father, who teaches the class at the Western Ohio Fish and Game Association, has told me several stories about the people in his class. Some, like Jean
he did not expect to show up. Jean is a clerk at our local K-Mart store. Others, like Raliegh he knew would be there and revving his engine to be able to carry concealed. Raleigh is a Colt firearms collector.
Dad fields questions such as: If someone breaks into my house can I shoot him? He said others, such as: So
you mean
now I can walk down the street with my Colt under my arm? leave him exasperated. He tells these stories with a sense of annoyance and disappointment in his tone. No, you cannot just shoot someone who breaks into your house. Yes, you can carry your gun under your arm walking down the street (if you want to get arrested for inciting public panic).
As a former police officer, my father knows a lot about firearms. He owns a good number of them and could pretty much teach anyone how to load, fire, clean and safely use one. In fact, he offered to teach the class without being compensated just so he could make sure he was doing it for the right reasons: to make sure people were correctly trained in the use of firearms. My concern is that even though basic handling and safety can be taught, not everyone has the same level of common sense.
A military man or police officer has had prior training in this art. He knows what to look for in a hostile movement and when to fire and when not to. Not all regular civilians and citizens have this ability. What if that person breaking into your house is your son or daughter who forgot their key? What if you decide to take a shortcut on your walk and stroll by a school or post office (both places where concealed carry is illegal)?
I offer a smidgen of advice to all those considering or who are currently enrolled in a concealed-carry training program. Please, seriously consider your need for this license. If you have any doubt of your ability to judge when or when not to use your firearm, do not obtain the license. If you are obtaining this license in reaction to a neighbor or someone else's actions, do not get a license. If you do not plan to buy a lock, do not get this license.
But, if you are getting this license for the sheer novelty of carrying a gun, please, for the love of God, do us all a favor and do not get this license.
There are many legitimate reasons to have a concealed carry license. If you live or work in an area you feel is dangerous, by all means get a license. Just please, please, please do not think of this as a toy. It is a firearm. It kills.
Concealed carry is law now. Until it is repealed, licensed people will be allowed to carry guns. If Ohio citizens follow the few simple guidelines laid out in this piece, the possible dangers of untrained, uninformed or mis-motivated hands holding firearms can be reduced.
Send Ben an e-mail at benjamin.roode@ohiou.edu.
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Benjamin Roode
