Until someone can show me evidence to the contrary, I am not going to change my opinion, he said. Flask said he has spent his entire adult life dealing with violence as a law enforcement official and he cannot fathom supporting any measure that could easily create more violence. Adding to the number of firearms in the community is not in the best interest of the community, Flask said. Maple Heights Police Chief Dale Canter also is against allowing people to carry weapons without a specific reason. He said he does not think people should be armed more freely than they already are.
Canter especially is concerned about situations involving alcohol.
He sees crimes becoming worse. If there are more guns in the hands of people, we are going to see situations that would have been assaults wind up being homicides, Canter said. The job of a police officer already has enough hazards. Richard Mannarino of the Brecksville police said he was flabbergasted by the proposed law. Like Canter, Mannarino said certain situations probably will become more violent if people are permitted to carry concealed weapons.