Sheriff talks about Second Amendment

DAVE MOSIER/independent editor

Van Wert County Sheriff Tom Riggenbach was the speaker for an overflow meeting of the Heart Land Patriots Tuesday evening and discussed Americans’ Second Amendment rights, as well as the criteria to obtain a concealed carry weapon permit and other related topics.

Riggenbach, who was elected sheriff in November after 17½ years as a deputy, including his most stint as chief deputy of the Van Wert County Correctional Facility, stressed his duty as a law enforcement officer to uphold county residents’ constitutional rights, including the right to bear arms.

“I absolutely support the Second Amendment right to keep and bear arms,” the sheriff said. “I took an oath when I was sworn in to uphold and protect the Constitution to the best of my ability … this is something I take great pride in.”

Sheriff Riggenbach said owing a weapon was nearly every American’s right under the Constitution. “It is your right to own a weapon, and I encourage everyone to do that,” the sheriff noted. “It is my job to make sure we uphold that right.”

Sheriff Riggenbach also talked about Ohio’s concealed carry law and noted that concealed carry permits are up substantially this year. The sheriff said his office had issued 79 permits in January and February — approximately four times the average in prior years.

Sheriff Riggenbach talked about reasons to obtain a concealed carry permit, but basically noted that having a permit is the right of county residents, as long as they follow permit requirements and qualify under the law.

The sheriff also addressed a particular case mentioned where a Gulf War veteran was denied a permit because he had been treated for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder 20 years ago.

“The last thing I want to do is deny a veteran this opportunity,” Sheriff Riggenbach said, but also added that he must follow the law’s guidelines in deciding whether to grant or deny permit applications.

He did note that weapons do not have to be carried on a person at all times, but can be secured in a vehicle, although he later added that permit holders must make sure weapons are removed from vehicles before they allow someone else to use that vehicle.

Sheriff Riggenbach also told the audience that approximately 32 states recognize Ohio’s concealed carry permits, including all neighboring states, but also urged those with permits to follow the requirements mandated by the state. He also noted that, while booklets detailing recently passed changes in the concealed carry law have not yet been received by his office, but urged local residents to check back to see when they come in.

Information on the changes will also be included on Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine’s website at that time.

While Sheriff Riggenbach said he supports most Americans’ right to bear arms, he did also state he feels more should be done to ensure that people who shouldn’t have them, such as criminals and those with mental disorders that make them a danger to others, don’t have weapons.

“I truly believe our government needs to do more to prevent access to people who shouldn’t have weapons,” he noted, adding that stricter enforcement is needed of the nation’s current gun laws. “It’s hard to prevent the bad guys from getting firearms, but it should not infringe on the law-abiding citizens’ rights.”

Among those unable to have weapons, under Ohio law, are those convicted of felony offenses.

The Rev. Keith Stoller, one of the organizers of the Heart Land Patriots group, also noted that the group would be showing the documentary Fracknation at 2 p.m. Saturday, March 16, in the main auditorium of Calvary Evangelical Church in Van Wert. He also noted that the group would hold a Candidate’s Night forum for local candidates next Tuesday, March 19.