UPDATE: His motion did not earn a second, so it did not pass. However, this issue has now sparked an intense debate on why Mr. Portune raised this issue in the first place. You be the judge.

Republican Commissioners Attack Democrat Commissioner Portune.

News Release
Second Amendment Foundation
12500 NE 10th Place
Bellevue, WA 98005
(425) 454-7012 • FAX (425) 451-3959 • www.saf.org

For Immediate Release:
Contact:
Alan Gottlieb (425) 454-7012
Todd Portune (513) 946-4401

County Commissioners to Discuss Ending Involvement in Concealed Carry Lawsuit Appeal This Wednesday, 9:30 AM

The Hamilton County Commissioners will discuss ending the County’s involvement in the Ohio Supreme Court Appeal in the landmark concealed carry lawsuit funded by the Second Amendment Foundation (SAF) on Wednesday, April 17th at 9:30 AM in Room 603 at 138 E. Court Street in Cincinnati, Ohio. If the Commissioners vote to oppose the Appeal, the Hamilton County Prosecutor may be forced to drop it.

“It is no surprise that elected officials began to see the folly of wasting taxpayer dollars in an unwinnable case after all four judges hearing the merits of it resoundingly rejected the Government’s position,” stated Alan Gottlieb, SAF Founder. “Todd Portune had the courage to be the first to raise this important issue, but he will likely not be the last.”

In his excellent letter to County Administrator David Krings, Hamilton Commissioner Todd Portune noted that while County Prosecutor Mike Allen admitted that he too had problems with the current statutory scheme, he felt that he was obligated to continue the appeals. The problem, as Portune wrote, is that Allen’s supervisors (the County Commissioners), have never been consulted in these key decisions.

A link to Portune’s letter is available here: http://www.saf.org/Ohio.htm with part of it reading as follows:

“Judge Painter, one of the most published and respected jurists in the state, and a true intellectual and scholar, has offered a well-written opinion that in unequivocal terms finds Ohio’s present statute to be unconstitutional. That is good enough for me and we need not waste any more taxpayer resources on pursuing this appeal. . . .

“We should not . . . be a party to a process that urges the [Supreme] Court to enforce an unconstitutional law — a law that forces people to be arrested and run the risk of prosecution and conviction simply for the purpose of determining their legal rights.”

The Ohio Supreme Court has not issued a stay yet, so it is legal for law-abiding adult citizens in Hamilton County to carry concealed weapons like guns for their defense and security without any licensing requirements. Since the Judicial branch cannot create law, but only interpret it and review it against the constitution, the Appeal Court could only strike down the unconstitutional laws, leaving others intact for criminals only.

The Second Amendment Foundation is the nation’s oldest and largest tax-exempt education, research, publishing and legal action group focusing on the Constitutional right and heritage to privately own and possess firearms. Founded in 1974, The Foundation has grown to more than 600,000 members and supporters and conducts many programs designed to better inform the public about the consequences of gun control. SAF has previously funded successful firearms-related suits against the cities of Los Angeles; New Haven, CT; and San Francisco on behalf of American gun owners. Current projects include several concealed carry lawsuits, a lawsuit against the cities suing gun makers & an amicus brief & fund for the Emerson case holding the Second Amendment as an individual right. Visit our website for more information at http://www.saf.org/Ohio.htm

View the Letter Here!

Click Here for Secure Server Donations! !