Letters to the Editor: Saturday, April 6, 2024

Six months after a 24-year-old Bellbrook man killed nine people in the Oregon District during the worst mass shooting in Ohio history, literal signs of strength, appreciation, resilience and the determination to “do something” about gun violence can be found throughout the historic neighborhood. "Do Something" signs are in several residential yards. AMELIA ROBINSON/STAFF

Six months after a 24-year-old Bellbrook man killed nine people in the Oregon District during the worst mass shooting in Ohio history, literal signs of strength, appreciation, resilience and the determination to “do something” about gun violence can be found throughout the historic neighborhood. "Do Something" signs are in several residential yards. AMELIA ROBINSON/STAFF

On a recent spring-like evening, our daughter and her husband took their children to enjoy their neighborhood playground. They were shocked to see one of the adults, a stranger, prominently wearing a shoulder holster containing a gun and ammunition. Alarmed, they gathered their children and hurried home.

After contacting the police they learned that, despite an ordinance prohibiting weapons in Beavercreek’s parks, Ohio legislation overrides local gun restrictions. This law, passed by Ohio’s legislature in 2006 and affirmed by Ohio’s Supreme Court in 2008, strips municipalities of the right to prevent gun owners from bringing firearms to public parks where families gather and young children play. This is true even if the city has erected signs prohibiting weapons.

Despite polls showing that most Ohioans favor common sense gun regulations, the majority of our state legislators remain stubbornly unresponsive to constituents’ wishes. When the Columbus Dispatch questioned Ohio Senate President Matt Huffman on this issue, he arrogantly responded, “Polls are interesting, but they’re not helpful in policy making often. They’re not a good way to govern.”

We remember the cries of “Do something!” following the 2019 mass shooting in the Oregon District. Since that horrific night, Ohio’s legislature has loosened gun restrictions even further by enacting a permit-less carry law. When the leaders we elect to represent us blatantly ignore our opinions, it’s time to choose new ones.

- Kathy Swensen, Miami Township

Ohio revised code 4503.10(C) authorizes additional fees for Electric and Hybrid Electric Vehicles. A necessary step to collect road use Taxes with a decline of motor fuel tax collection. However, our elected officials went too far. EPA.Gov list my Non-plug in hybrid at 36 MPG. It list the same year make and model at 35 MPG. Why then is a $100.00 annual fee accessed for a Non-plug in hybrid vehicle getting only 1 MPG more? It is unfair to pay double tax at the pump and the Registar. I was told by my State Representative that they were aware of the disparity. However, it was easy money and will not change. I urge all Ohio citizens to contact their respective State Representative and ask them to address this harsh situation.

- George Mellen, Marysville