Ohio's AG turns records review into memory game

A poorly written concealed-carry permit law in Ohio has just crossed over to the absurd thanks to a written opinion by state Attorney General Marc Dann. 

The (Toledo) Blade reports that  the law as written allows reporters to inspect concealed weapons records but does not allow copies of the records.  It’s bad enough that the law already on the books excludes the general public all together.  

But to make matters worse, AG Dann has issued an opinion on the statute that makes it unlawful for reporters to write anything down while inspecting the records.

"(W)e read the prohibition against a journalist’s copying such information as applying to the reproduction of the viewed information by any means, including… hand-copying, handwritten notes, and dictation," Dann’s letter opinion said.

And law enforcement appear all-too-ready to carry out the AG’s view to its ridiculous conclusion.

"The sheriffs will have somebody stationed with the journalist to make sure all goes as it should," Bob Cornwall, executive director of the Buckeye State Sheriffs’ Association told the paper. "The opinion is clear. There can be no types of recording devices or notes of any kind taken."