Today it was revealed that the administration of former Gov. Bob Taft and former Attorney General Jim Petro had failed to fully protect the people of Ohio. Toledo Blade:
Ohio has not been conducting mental health background checks as required under its concealed carry law and has not supplied the same information to the federal government for gun purchase checks, Attorney General Marc Dann revealed this morning.
A rapid check of the state’s database in the wake of the Virginia Tech shootings two weeks ago showed that two people in Lucas County had been issued permits to carry hidden handguns who should not have been under the law. Two others in Lorain and Summit counties held permits before being adjudicated mentally ill and should have lost those permits as a result.
The state does not know how many people may have been allowed to illegally purchase firearms because Ohio has failed to forward the same information to the FBI for entry into the database it uses for background checks.
"I am absolutely livid," said Mr. Dann, who took office in January. He characterized the problem as "serious and inexcusable" and said he was investigating to see who dropped the ball that Ohio’s 2003 law authorizing law-abiding citizens to carry hidden handguns put into play.
He said his Republican predecessor, Jim Petro, indicated he didn’t realize that the mandatory checks weren’t being done.......
He didn't realize the checks weren't being done?????? In other words, he didn't do them. Not only have the Ohio Republicans participated in unethical activities while in office, let a coin dealer invest funds designated for injured workers, awarded state contracts to political contributors, chased businesses out of the state, but they also did not perform mental health checks on those applying for gun ownership. They were not doing their jobs! Incredible!