[DannyII]

Hi, all.

I've been thinking about the "no firearm" signs I see from time to time in my part of Ohio, and wanted to create a letter to give to the owner/manager to try to educate them to the benefits of removing the signs, without getting into a verbal confrontation, sounding rude or like a "gun-nut". Not wanting to re-create the wheel, I reviewed several sources, and added my own language. I realize many owners/managers may not care what I think, but some might.

Anyway, here's the letter. It's kinda long, but fits on one sheet of paper. Feel free to make suggestions, or even copy and edit it for your own use.


I am writing this letter in response to the “No Firearms” sign posted in your establishment.

As is your right as a private property owner/manager, you have chosen to invoke the power of the State of Ohio to disarm law-abiding citizens like myself when we are in your establishment. I have great respect for your private property rights, and the laws of the State of Ohio. Therefore, even though I am a firm believer in the right of self-preservation and self-defense, I will honor your sign by not carrying my self-defense firearm while in your establishment. Of course, I also recognize that my obedience to your sign could very well cost me my life, or cause me to suffer serious bodily injury. I sincerely hope you recognize this as well.

By prohibiting all firearms on your property, you have disarmed and made helpless anyone who enters your establishment; except for criminals, who obviously won’t respect or follow your policy anyway. In essence, you’ve made your establishment more dangerous for patrons who carry a firearm in accordance with Ohio law, and safer for criminals.

You may have posted your sign as a way to attempt to limit your establishment’s liability. Perhaps you are not aware that under Ohio law, "a private employer is immune from liability in a civil action for any injury, death, or loss to person or property that allegedly was caused by or related to the private employer’s decision to permit a licensee to bring …a handgun onto the premises or property of the private employer." ORC 2923.126 (C)(2)(a)

Perhaps you are also not aware that as Concealed Carry Permit holders, law-abiding people such as me have:
1. No felony convictions,
2. No domestic violence convictions,
3. No drug convictions,
4. No pending indictments, and are not fugitives from justice,
5. No mental defects, or disabilities,
6. Passed a criminal background check,
7. Submitted a current photograph to law enforcement,
8. Submitted fingerprints and other identifying information to law enforcement,
9. Demonstrated firearms competency by obtaining a Proof of Competency Certificate,
10. Completed a minimum of twelve hours of firearms training,
11. Undergone training in safe firearm storage, handling and usage,
12. Received and reviewed Ohio’s Concealed Carry laws as required by Ohio law.

Now that you know all these things about concealed carry holders, I would ask you to consider how little you know about your other customers. I would think that concealed carry holders are exactly the type of law-abiding, respectful people you would want to have in your establishment. Unfortunately, your “No Firearms” sign tells us that we are not welcome. Many of us choose to honor your sign by doing business where we are welcomed, instead of in your establishment.

Please consider changing your “No Firearms” policy, and removing your “No Firearms” signs.

Thank you for your time, and consideration.