OH:First Person Account of Toledo Open Carry March 22 September, 2013

People openly carrying guns obtained as private buyers at a Phoenix gun turn in event




An open carry march in Toledo, Ohio, gained some media attention. 
Ron in Toledo writes of his experience at the event on opencarry.org:

September 22,'13 - Our open carry walk through down town Toledo today was covered by local TV stations, our friendly WSPD Radio 1370 AM, and The Toledo Blade news paper. It was windy and quite cool for this old man, and I was the eldest in attendance. I am proud of the turn out and I met some of the nicest people there. Families with children showed up dispite the wind and cool temperature. The media interviews aside, I made some friends and had enjoyable conversations.

Smiles were on everybodys faces and the fellowship shared was something I'll long remember. It was refreshing to be among so many who share common goals, and ideas. Perhaps some day we should consider having a picnic in one of Toledos many beautiful public parks where we could spend more time together and get to know each other on more personal levels. Terrific people make for a good time, and I hope we'll meet again in the not so distant future; perhaps in the (((((( SUMMER )))))

This is a typical experience for people attending these events.  Ohio, like the vast majority of states, has enjoyed open carry rights for its entire existence, protected by the state constitution as well as the second amendment.   People have found, though, that if you do not exercise your rights, they become rusty, and some  question whether they are a right or not.  From  northwestohio.com:

 The current Ohio law allows gun owners to carry their weapons in public places.

This sentence makes is appear as if the right to bear arms is a recent, temporary and transitory departure from the norm, rather than a time honored right enshrined in Ohio's constitution from the formation of the State.  From the Ohio State Constitution adopted in 1851:

 The people have the right to bear arms for their defense and security; but standing armies, in time of peace, are dangerous to liberty, and shall not be kept up; and the military shall be in strict subordination to the civil power.

It is the infringements on the right to bear arms that are recent, current, and transitory.

 ©2013 by Dean Weingarten: Permission to share is granted when this notice is included.