CONCEALED GUNS Law negates cities' bans

Private companies can ban firearms, but cities can't.
COLUMBUS (AP) -- Mayors are angry that the state's concealed weapons law, which took effect Thursday, will override local bans on guns in parks and other outdoor public places.
"It seems like we've almost gone back to Dodge City," said Newark Mayor Bruce Bain.
The law prohibits people from bringing concealed weapons into public buildings but doesn't restrict them from carrying them into public areas such as parks, pools and bike paths, Columbus Mayor Michael Coleman said.
Until Thursday, Columbus and other cities across Ohio could ban weapons at all indoor and outdoor facilities, Coleman said.
The new law is "a travesty for our city and for our state," he said.
Coleman also said it's unfair that a private company can ban guns in and around its buildings but a city can't do the same.
For example, a private sports organization such as a YMCA could ban guns from its buildings and outdoor fields but a city park across the street could not, according to Michelle Parks, executive director of the Ohio Parks and Recreation Association.
Causing concern
Directors of city, county and state parks across Ohio are concerned about the change, Parks said. Officials are particularly worried about having weapons around youth sports events, where tempers often flare.
The worry is that "someone would have the weapon and would not be pleased with what's going on, and brandish it," Parks said.
Parks lobbied unsuccessfully to include public areas such as pools and bike paths in the prohibited areas under the new state law. She and Coleman said they will try again to persuade legislators to change the law.
The law's sponsor said they're unlikely to find much support. In 10 years of hearings, lawmakers found little proof that allowing weapons in parks would be harmful, said Rep. Jim Aslanides, a Coshocton Republican.
Law's goal
The goal of the legislation was to allow law-abiding citizens to turn the tables on criminals, "and one of the criminal's playgrounds is a public park," Aslanides said.
Ohioans for Concealed Carry sent a letter recently to about 10 Ohio cities attempting to ban weapons in parks to point out that the new law prohibits them from doing that.
Cleveland Metroparks, which banned weapons in its parks until Thursday, is following the new law, said spokeswoman Jane Christyson.
Akron is reluctantly amending its law to follow the new state law. The city banned weapons in parks and elsewhere until Thursday.
"We were happy with the state of the law we had that discouraged people from carrying concealed weapons," said city Prosecutor Douglas Powley. "We have not seen a need for people to arm themselves for protection in Akron."
Park visitor
Scott Malley, a Columbus architect who often takes his four children to the city's Whetstone Park, known for its rose gardens, ball parks and fishing ponds, wasn't happy about the new law.
"I should be protected in a park; I shouldn't feel like the guy next to me is going to be carrying a gun," said Malley, 45.
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