Former Cincinnati police Lt. Harry Thomas told a pro-gun rally Sunday that police officials are telling ''outrageous lies'' when they say they oppose people carrying concealed weapons.

''The more good guys there are out there with guns, the safer everybody is, including police officers,'' Thomas told 100 cheering people at Fountain Square downtown.

''Police officials are telling outrageous lies when they say they fear blood running in the streets (because of concealed weapons). They know crime rates have dropped in states that permit concealed weapons.''

Thomas, a member of the National Rifle Association board of directors, was a featured speaker at a rally challenging Ohio's law against concealed weapons.

Ohio is one of only seven states that prohibits concealed weapons and Cincinnati has become a focal point of debate over the constitutionality of that law.

Last month, four Greater Cincinnatians sued to challenge the Ohio prohibition.

Hamilton County Common Pleas Court Judge Robert Ruehlman issued a temporary restraining order that banned Cincinnati police and Hamilton County sheriff's deputies from arresting people for carrying concealed weapons. A state appeals court later overturned the order, but Ruehlman still has jurisdiction of the lawsuit and will have a hearing on it Friday.

Sunday's rally, sponsored by Cleveland-based Ohioans for Concealed Carry Inc. and Columbus-based Ohio Constitution Defense Council, was to support Ruehlman's restraining order and to urge state legislators to permit concealed weapons. People at the rally carried signs saying ''Criminals prefer unarmed victims,'' ''Free people own guns, enslaved people don't'' and ''Politicians prefer unarmed peasants.''

''With the weather (light rain, high humidity) and only two weeks notice for the rally, I think it was great,'' Jeff Garvas, president of Ohioans for Concealed Carry Inc., said of the rally. ''Maybe only 100 people attended, but we distributed literature to about 500 passersby. And, we signed up 10 new members to our organization.

''I'm optimistic about turning things around in Ohio. The case before Judge Ruehlman is significant.''

Among those attending the rally was Lou Ann Novotny, 73, of Sycamore Township. ''I have been pro-gun all my life,'' she said. ''I believe that without guns we are very vulnerable.

''I challenge anybody to walk down Hamer Street in Over-the-Rhine, even in broad daylight, and feel safe without a gun.''

Charles Riggs, vice president of the Kentucky Coalition for Carry Concealed, said he felt ''naked'' coming to Cincinnati from Kentucky.

Riggs said he regularly carries a gun in Kentucky.

Joe Tartaro, president of the Second Amendment Foundation, said the issue in the Ohio debate over concealed weapons is ''very clear.''

''You, as citizens of Ohio, have the right to bear arms for protection of you and your property, or you don't,'' he said.

''The state constitution says you do. State laws say you don't. Something's got to go. Frankly, we think the Ohio Constitution is being violated.''

Tom Brinkman, a Republican candidate for the Ohio House of Representatives in the 37th district, complained that Ohio Gov. Bob Taft had changed his stand on concealed weapons.

''Gov. Taft is a liar,'' declared Brinkman.

''He said during his campaign that he would support concealed carry, but he hasn't.''

Joanne Kemmerer, a Republican candidate for the Ohio House of Representatives in the 31st district, said, ''Some people choose to do evil.

''We have the right to protect ourselves from them.''

Source: Cincinnati Post
Publication date: 08-07-00