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Dayton public transit (RTA) has a problem with **lawfully carried firearms**

BB62

Accomplished Advocate
Joined
Aug 17, 2006
Messages
4,069
Location
Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
Might be an already-answered question, but have you tried communicating with your elected State Representative over the issue?
The Montgomery County Commissioners appoint the majority of RTA's board, and they're well aware of the situation. Dayton is heavily DemocRATic and very anti-gun.
 

cabledawg

Regular Member
Joined
Aug 9, 2012
Messages
54
Location
Dayton, Ohio
If you can wait till later in December, I'd be willing to do an OC "walk" with you on the RTA.

For BB62, I have a somewhat direct path to Rob Portman, who I believe is pro-gun. I'll send him a memo and a link to this forum so he can see what's up and maybe pitch in with the effort.
 

davidmcbeth

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earth's crust
http://www.i-riderta.org/about-rta/reports-policies

Under "Reports & Policies" - "Rules of the Road" says: "Customers may not carry onto an RTA vehicle any item, which could cause injury or damage to RTA riders or property including firearms, knives or such hazardous materials as gasoline, propane tanks or car batteries."

It looks like RTA still has problems.

The rules themselves do not appear to be mandatory ... any other authority relating to the issue? If they kick you off, sue them.
 

BB62

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If you can wait till later in December, I'd be willing to do an OC "walk" with you on the RTA. ...
Thanks for the heads-up.


...For BB62, I have a somewhat direct path to Rob Portman, who I believe is pro-gun. I'll send him a memo and a link to this forum so he can see what's up and maybe pitch in with the effort.
I appreciate the offer, and don't necessarily want to dissuade you from contacting Sen. Portman, but remember he is a US Senator, not a state senator. On the other hand, he may have contact with state-level elected officials who, IMHO, have been far more interested in expanding the gun rights and privileges of "special" people than of us commoners.

I will edit this post when I find the link to Buckeye Firearms Association status of current Ohio gun bills.

BFA status of current Ohio gun bills link: https://www.buckeyefirearms.org/ohio-gun-legislation-guide
 
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BB62

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Letter to CEO, copied to RTA Board

Subject: Dayton RTA - Status review of deceptive signage + noncomplying firearm policy = corrective action needed

Mr. Donaghy,

More than two months have passed since I publicly spoke (Oct. 4, 2016) to the members of the RTA Board about two subjects: 1) the deceptive and inaccurate “Private Property” signage on the public property which is the Wright Transit Stop, and 2) the fact that RTA was not in compliance with Ohio Revised Code 9.68 with respect to its wholesale prohibition of firearm carry on RTA buses and property open to the public.

I have also filed a number of records requests, at least one of which is now 56 days old - far older than the reasonably expected response time of 30 days.

On October 18, Kelly May of TV channels 22/45 broadcast a report which stated that you said RTA was doing a legal review of its policies. However, it appears that nothing has changed. Specifically, on November 15 you stated only that the signage was “likely” to change. In addition, the “Rules of the Road” & “Code of Conduct” supplied to me on December 15 both still include a prohibition on firearm carry.

With regard to RTA’s firearm carry prohibition, based on records which I was supplied with as well as information from other sources, it’s clear that RTA has been aware for years that its policy conflicts with ORC 9.68: you yourself said so in November of 2015. In that same communication you made it clear that you preferred that someone engage RTA in litigation rather than change RTA policy from within. Given that every other major Ohio regional transit authority is currently in compliance with Ohio law, I wouldn’t think that the RTA Board would countenance your engaging in such frivolous legal activity.

RTA has had plenty of time to consider changing its deceptive signage, as well as complying with Ohio law regarding firearm carry - so I’d like to know when RTA will be correcting both circumstances?

In an effort to be more than reasonable, I look forward to being advised within the next 30 days that RTA has taken appropriate corrective action. If I don’t receive communication of such corrective action, I will take further steps to facilitate RTA’s compliance.


Cordially,

me
 

Grapeshot

Legendary Warrior
Joined
May 21, 2006
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35,317
Location
Valhalla
I'm guessing but it doesn't seem like a good option to hold your breath until you get a positive response from them on this issue.

It appears that obeying the law is not on their list of things to do. Rather, deceiving the public to facilitate their agenda, control of people to further their negative agenda is priority one.

The state law apparently lacks any teeth, penalty for ignoring it - the nice men on the RTV board hope that no one will want to spend the money to take them to court. So far, that has worked.

Keep the pressure on them!
 

StogieC

Campaign Veteran
Joined
Nov 22, 2009
Messages
745
Location
Florida
In Florida, we have dealt with numerous public entities that were in violation of our firearms preemption statute. The bureaucrats at these agencies will rarely take a private individual seriously because they almost never have the means to bring a winnable lawsuit. State firearms organizations have better success because they are representing many thousands of people and usually have attornies. Florida Carry started having even more success with gaining compliance after we sued a few recalcitrant officials and entities and won. I'd recommend talking to Buckeye Firearm Assoc., or some other local org, about taking this over.
 

BB62

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In Florida, we have dealt with numerous public entities that were in violation of our firearms preemption statute. The bureaucrats at these agencies will rarely take a private individual seriously because they almost never have the means to bring a winnable lawsuit. State firearms organizations have better success because they are representing many thousands of people and usually have attornies. Florida Carry started having even more success with gaining compliance after we sued a few recalcitrant officials and entities and won. I'd recommend talking to Buckeye Firearm Assoc., or some other local org, about taking this over.
I appreciate the thought, but if necessary I'll take care of what needs to be done, since my legal team is better than theirs! ;)
 

StogieC

Campaign Veteran
Joined
Nov 22, 2009
Messages
745
Location
Florida
I appreciate the thought, but if necessary I'll take care of what needs to be done, since my legal team is better than theirs! ;)

It pays to have lawyers, truly talented attorneys, on tap. :banana:
 
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Brian D.

Regular Member
Joined
Jul 27, 2007
Messages
937
Location
Cincy area, Ohio, USA
In Florida, we have dealt with numerous public entities that were in violation of our firearms preemption statute. The bureaucrats at these agencies will rarely take a private individual seriously because they almost never have the means to bring a winnable lawsuit. State firearms organizations have better success because they are representing many thousands of people and usually have attornies. Florida Carry started having even more success with gaining compliance after we sued a few recalcitrant officials and entities and won. I'd recommend talking to Buckeye Firearm Assoc., or some other local org, about taking this over.

A big difference is, in Ohio even if our side wins, there is no real penalty to the political subdivision or its officials for ignoring/breaking the laws in the first place. So, the cases pursued by BFA or OFCC are few and far between, it would get too expensive otherwise.
 

Basicblack

Newbie
Joined
Nov 14, 2016
Messages
5
Location
Dayton,ohio
Are we still here?

I've been out of the state for awhile and it seems as if we have given up. I will say having my CHL comes in handy when traveling through the states. So who is up for an open carry walk?
 

BB62

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4,069
Location
Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
I've been out of the state for awhile and it seems as if we have given up. I will say having my CHL comes in handy when traveling through the states. So who is up for an open carry walk?
It appears that RTA has still not changed their policies regarding weapon carry:

"Facilities Code of Conduct": http://www.i-riderta.org/about-rta/resources/2355.PDF

"Rules of the Road": http://www.i-riderta.org/about-rta/resources/2356.PDF


A few questions if I may:

1) What kind of open carry walk are you proposing, and how do you think it will affect the status quo?

2) Are you prepared to mount a legal challenge to get the policies changed?

3) Who are you and what is your track record in such matters?
 
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