Concealed carry: Why the uproar? (Ohio)

[jeepnstein]

8. There was much Fear and Loathing...

when the law first took effect. Some of the crap I heard circulating around the law enforcement community was just out of this world. Some of the larger departments really polished up the old jack boots for a while. What our department did was have our training officer sit us down at our annual qualifications and explain the law and how we should handle encounters with lawfully armed citizens. His point was that the person we encounter with a valid permit was probably packing before the law passed and had to lie to us about it. The old law allowed an affirmative defense on a charge of carrying a concealed weapon and was really a mess so making a charge stick on someone who was otherwise reasonable and prudent at the time was nearly impossible. Under the new law they could disclose that they were armed and it really did make life easier for everyone.

Eventually our department made all of us get our CCW and our off-duty carry must comply with Ohio law, which is a huge step forward from back in the days when we were basically an privileged class by virtue of having a commission and a badge. These days the biggest problem I encounter with concealed carry is convincing folks that the thing is useless if it's bouncing around in a glove box and not under your direct physical control.