Tribune editorial staff

The Ohio Constitution is clear: "The people have the right to bear arms for their defense and security." We agree with this philosophy, but, nowhere in this entry does it state bear arms "secretly."

The much-debated concealed carry bill was approved Wednesday in the Ohio Senate. Gov. Bob Taft had earlier said he would veto any measure dealing with concealed weapons as long as the law enforcement community opposed it. Taft has backed off his veto threats now that the Ohio Highway Patrol switched from opposition to neutrality.

Ohio is one of just six states in the nation that bans carrying concealed guns.

Just because we are currently in the minority does not mean Ohio has to join the majority.

If allowing concealed weapons leads to just one accidental or intentional death, that is too much. Putting more guns on the street is not going to lead to a safer, more civil society. In fact, we feel encouraging pistol-packing could do more harm than good.

Yes, under the law people could only carry concealed firearms after undergoing training and receiving a permit. Does this mean those who take the training and are issued a permit are sure to be law-abiding citizens? The answer is no.

If Gov. Taft signs the bill into law, some people who do not carry hidden weapons now will start doing so. Some will end up accidentally shooting another. Most tragically, some children are bound to get hurt.

While these events are not likely to increase enormously,

we feel they will be more common than cases of would-be criminals stopped by a law-abiding citizens or criminals being deterred by the possibility that a potential victim is armed. We see no

threat or problem that calls for Ohioans to need to keep guns hidden in their purses or overcoats.

Firearms owners have every right to bear weapons - responsibly. Having weapons hidden from the public, we feel, is not responsible. While we do believe in the pro-gun philosophy "if you outlaw guns, only outlaws will have guns," we do not feel that "if you allow law-abiding citizens to carry concealed guns, only law-abiding citizens will carry concealed guns."