BB62
Accomplished Advocate
I came across information somewhere that Dayton's RTA (Regional Transit Authority) prohibits carry on their buses, so I checked it out. It appears they do: http://www.i-riderta.org/mobile/rules_of_the_road.aspx (#15)
I called this morning and first got the answer that carry was okay, then after checking with security, was told that it was not, so I wrote a note to the safety director:
"Mr. Napier,
I found your contact information here: http://www.i-riderta.org/customer_support/write_to_the_top.aspx
I’m a gun owner and a CHL (concealed handgun license) holder. It has come to my attention that you have a policy against riders carrying firearms or knives on RTA buses: http://www.i-riderta.org/mobile/rules_of_the_road.aspx, part of which states “15. 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 is my understanding that there is no law which allows a public entity such as RTA to disallow the carry of firearms on your buses or property. In addition, I am unaware of a law which allows RTA to ban the carrying of knives on its buses or property.
The carry of firearms in public buildings is a separate topic, and one I am not raising here.
This morning I called customer support, asked my question, and a little while later a Mr. Windsor called me back, and said that he believed I could carry my firearm on your buses. Then, he put me on hold and when he came back he said that he had checked with security and was told the answer was “No”. He then said he would be glad to have the head of security, Barb Brookshire, call me back later since she was at lunch at the time.
I will be in and out this afternoon, but regardless of the answer, because I’d like a response in writing, and because I’ve gotten two conflicting answers so far, I’d like to know if the information on your website is an oversight, or is it RTA policy? I don’t know whether your buses have similar information posted on them, but if they do, my question applies to those locations also.
Assuming that the information posted, wherever it may be posted, is RTA policy, I’d like to make you aware of an Ohio law that applies to public entities such as RTA, Ohio Revised Code 9.68 (ORC 9.68, or just 9.68). Part of the law allows individuals or entities to seek legal redress for the dissemination of such policies: “(B) In addition to any other relief provided, the court shall award costs and reasonable attorney fees to any person, group, or entity that prevails in a challenge to an ordinance, rule, or regulation as being in conflict with this section.” http://codes.ohio.gov/orc/gp9.68
I look forward to your response, and thank you in advance."
I'll keep everyone posted as to what happens.
I called this morning and first got the answer that carry was okay, then after checking with security, was told that it was not, so I wrote a note to the safety director:
"Mr. Napier,
I found your contact information here: http://www.i-riderta.org/customer_support/write_to_the_top.aspx
I’m a gun owner and a CHL (concealed handgun license) holder. It has come to my attention that you have a policy against riders carrying firearms or knives on RTA buses: http://www.i-riderta.org/mobile/rules_of_the_road.aspx, part of which states “15. 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 is my understanding that there is no law which allows a public entity such as RTA to disallow the carry of firearms on your buses or property. In addition, I am unaware of a law which allows RTA to ban the carrying of knives on its buses or property.
The carry of firearms in public buildings is a separate topic, and one I am not raising here.
This morning I called customer support, asked my question, and a little while later a Mr. Windsor called me back, and said that he believed I could carry my firearm on your buses. Then, he put me on hold and when he came back he said that he had checked with security and was told the answer was “No”. He then said he would be glad to have the head of security, Barb Brookshire, call me back later since she was at lunch at the time.
I will be in and out this afternoon, but regardless of the answer, because I’d like a response in writing, and because I’ve gotten two conflicting answers so far, I’d like to know if the information on your website is an oversight, or is it RTA policy? I don’t know whether your buses have similar information posted on them, but if they do, my question applies to those locations also.
Assuming that the information posted, wherever it may be posted, is RTA policy, I’d like to make you aware of an Ohio law that applies to public entities such as RTA, Ohio Revised Code 9.68 (ORC 9.68, or just 9.68). Part of the law allows individuals or entities to seek legal redress for the dissemination of such policies: “(B) In addition to any other relief provided, the court shall award costs and reasonable attorney fees to any person, group, or entity that prevails in a challenge to an ordinance, rule, or regulation as being in conflict with this section.” http://codes.ohio.gov/orc/gp9.68
I look forward to your response, and thank you in advance."
I'll keep everyone posted as to what happens.