Blood on their hands?: Dayton man dies in apparent carjacking

"We do not want a loaded firearm readily accessible to the driver of a car. If there's a dangerous situation and you're in your car, you can drive off." - Capt. John Born, Ohio State Highway Patrol.

"...Of all the changes made by the Senate, as a father, I am most proud of the work we did to ensure the safety of Ohio children under this bill." - Steve Austria, who chaired the committee which added Taft's "Carjacker Protection" provision in the Senate.

"The bill as passed by the Senate gives law-abiding citizens the opportunity to protect themselves by carrying a concealed weapon, while protecting the best interests and safety of all Ohioans." Senate President Doug White, who, according to media reports, is refusing to appoint conferees to iron out difference in the bill before sending it to Taft.

DAYTON | A Tuesday night homicide probably stemmed from a carjacking attempt, Dayton police said today.

James A. Gordon, 27, of Dayton, was driving north on Main Street at Fairview Avenue with his 13-year-old nephew at about 11:10 p.m. when a man approached the driver's side and started yelling, Lt. John Huber said.

Gordon tried to drive away and was shot in the chest, Lt. John Bardun said.

Police have no suspects. Gordon had no criminal history and appears to be an innocent victim, Huber said.

OFCC PAC Commentary:
Mr. Gordon's tragic victimization reveals the fallacy in the "just drive away when attacked" theory, which is offered by the Ohio State Highway Patrol as a substitute for legalized self-defense with a firearm.

But even if Ohio law had been already been reformed to recognize Mr. Gordon's constitutional right to self-defense by either Am. Sub. HB274 or Am. Sub. HB12, and even if he had chosen to obtain a concealed carry permit, Bob Taft and a few enablers in the Senate would have ensured he was defenseless on the night he died, because his 13-year old nephew was an occupant in the vehicle.

Not all citizens must choose to carry a concealed firearm for Ohio to benefit from the reformation of concealed-carry laws and subsequent deterrent effect. Yet, if the Taft "Car-jacker Protection" provision which was inserted into HB12 by the Senate becomes law, criminals will be even more likely to target cars with "children on board", knowing that Bob Taft and his Senate enablers have legally rendered them defenseless.

Every day that Ohio's Republican leadership waits to fix Am. Sub. HB12 and send it to Gov. Taft increases the defenseless victim list in our state, and forces otherwise law-abiding citizens into making a choice between facing felony arrest or being unable to defend themselves. The continued unwillingness of a few Senators to say they will override a veto from a governor of their own party is absolutely sickening, especially in the face of Mr. Gordon's murder. Ohio's children deserves better. We all deserve better.

Click here to read the entire story in the Dayton Daily News.