Why can't Ohio be more like Kentucky?

[Brian D.]

Anyone here on the forum who knows me has heard this rant before, so sorry but I've reason to repeat it: Kentucky has vastly better gun laws and rights than Ohio. Yet another example popped up in front of me a few days ago.

I was in a restaurant in northern Kentucky. A municipal employee for the city of (I'll slightly disguise the name) Flo_e_ce was there in city issued work clothes. He was open carrying a Ruger LCP .380 or 9mm. A brief cordial conversation ensued. Apparently he's in the Recreation department, not law enforcement of any kind. On call and sometimes out by himself at whatever hours required.

Bottom line is that Kentucky law allows this, and statewide preemption gives cities/counties no way to disallow it. Court cases have upheld that right. All I could do was smile and wish him a safe productive day.

Boy, do I wish our state was the same.

[FormerNavy]

If I'm not mistaken, I also believe they have certain enumerated CPZs and outside of that, signs are totally meaningless with no force of law behind them.

[Brian D.]

If I'm not mistaken, I also believe they have certain enumerated CPZs and outside of that, signs are totally meaningless with no force of law behind them.

Yeah. CPZs include detention facilities, the actual courtrooms in government buildings, state run mental hospitals, not much else on the public side. Naturally Kentucky has no say about federal buildings.

[M-Quigley]

If I'm not mistaken, I also believe they have certain enumerated CPZs and outside of that, signs are totally meaningless with no force of law behind them.

You are not mistaken, at least the last time I checked. I didn't just check KY either, Indiana is the same way. I was trying to find out how many states are like Ohio, where no guns sign on places like businesses carry the weight of law, and incredibly many other states are like KY and IN on this issue, including some states that are otherwise extremely anti gun.

[rimfireOH]

Anyone here on the forum who knows me has heard this rant before, so sorry but I've reason to repeat it: Kentucky has vastly better gun laws and rights than Ohio.

I think it was Justice Brandeis who indicated that through federalism, "a single courageous State may, if its citizens choose, serve as a laboratory; and try novel social and economic experiments without risk to the rest of the country."

Boy, do I wish our state was the same.

What do we do to get our citizens to choose the experiment that Kentucky has tried?

[Brian D.]

What do we do to get our citizens to choose the experiment that Kentucky has tried?

Not really an experiment. Kentucky's state Constitution is more pro firearms than ours to begin with. The actions of legislators in Frankfort, versus those in Columbus, reflect that. Many if not most Democrat lawmakers in the Bluegrass state are more pro gun than Republicans here in the Buckeye.

[rimfireOH]

Not really an experiment. Kentucky's state Constitution is more pro firearms than ours to begin with. The actions of legislators in Frankfort, versus those in Columbus, reflect that. Many if not most Democrat lawmakers in the Bluegrass state are more pro gun than Republicans here in the Buckeye.

But that’s sort of the point. Kentucky’s citizens tried something they thought would work for Kentucky and it has. Ohioans observe their experiment (which worked for Kentucky) and have the opportunity to devise an Ohio solution that might work in Ohio.

If an Ohioan doesn’t like the Ohio situation, there’s the opportunity to try someone else’s solution. (Not everyone has the ability to pull up stakes and move—I get that.)
Or, we Ohioans have a chance to implement an Ohio solution informed by the Kentucky experiment (which works for Kentucky).

Either way, it’s a better solution than elected (or even unelected) persons in DC pushing down a solution to all the states that would work for none. I suppose it’s a variation on the “all politics are local” phrase.

[Brian D.]

Justice Brandeis' bloviating not withstanding, after 200 plus years for both Kentucky and Ohio I'd hardly call their state constitutions "experiments" any longer. Is the Big Mac® still considered an "experiment" by McDonald's ®?

[OhioPaints]

As I understand Kentucky law regarding non-state property, it's pretty much a wet noodle.

A hospital can post "no guns". If you ignore it and are noticed, you can be asked to leave.

If you ignore the request to leave, police can be called.

If police observe your armament, they can ask you to leave. If you ignore that request, you could be charged with trespassing.

Also, long before concealed carry, anyone could have a loaded gun in their glove box.

Ken

[Brian D.]

Since this thread is my rant originally, I'll regurg...reincar...resusc...recycle it, yeah, recycle it, with a fresh gripe.

Got selected for possible jury duty next month here in Hamilton County. The letter from the sheriff's office tells me not to bring a firearm, knife, eating utensil, etc. to the courthouse. She suggests locking such stuff in our vehicles instead, even though on multiple occasions she's advised against that same thing, because of the multiple vehicle break-ins that occur downtown.*

Well, it's makes no financial sense to drive downtown for this anyway, because parking is expensive, the $19 per day jury fee doesn't cover that, so I plan to ride the bus then walk a couple blocks.

If I was tasked with jury duty in Kentucky, they'd provide a locker in the courthouse for my carry gear. While the ORC allows local governments to do that, almost none do. IT SHOULD BE COMPULSORY!!

*Bonus irony: This Hamilton County sheriff has had her duty gun AND issued vehicle stolen from her control, at least twice, in her law enforcement career. And SHE'S giving the rest of US advice!

[Brian D.]

Almost two weeks have passed since my post just above, and I'm still just as unhappy about having my RTKBA compromised so much by that jury duty letter. Whether the county jury commissioner likes it or not, at my initial appearance with him, I'm complaining about their lack of concern for my rights and safety with this forced disarm process. Maybe I'll be excused, or maybe locked up.

[WY_Not]

In addition, mention jury nullification. They will have you out of there posthaste. Unless you want to stick it out and actually exercise your right to nullify an unjust law.

[OhioPaints]

Almost two weeks have passed since my post just above, and I'm still just as unhappy about having my RTKBA compromised so much by that jury duty letter. Whether the county jury commissioner likes it or not, at my initial appearance with him, I'm complaining about their lack of concern for my rights and safety with this forced disarm process. Maybe I'll be excused, or maybe locked up.

At least you are realistic about possibly being locked up! From what I havbe seen, the criminals have more rights than jurors!

Just hope you are not sequestored! Back in the 1970's, there was an anti-trust trial agaist IBM. It lasted seven or eight months IIRC and the jury was sequestored!

Ken

[Klingon00]

When I went to the Franklin County Court for jury duty or to the nearby Sheriff to renew my CHL, I'm cognizantly aware of the multiple block "naked" walk I'm forced to make without the relative safety of my vehicle or firearm, from parking garage to the court building.

It's never a fun time with lots of... interesting people about.

It goes against my general principle: Never do stupid things with stupid people in stupid places.

[Brian D.]

I got through the two weeks of jury duty okay. After the first day or two I brought my TDI Ka-Bar cane along. The deputies don't seem thrilled but they likely don't want ADA complaints being filed either.

Better than nothing.