Defenseless Ohioans continue to be victimized in their cars

Before reading the latest accounts of drivers being victimized in their cars, consider again the words of Ohio State Highway Patrol Capt. John Born, during the lobbying phase of Ohio's concealed carry law.:

Reality Check for the Ohio Highway Patrol: Don't Get ''Borned''
In a Columbus Dispatch article about the expected progress of Ohio House Bill 12, Ohio Highway Patrol Capt. John Born reiterated the OHP's opposition to any bill that would allow citizens their right to self-defense in an automobile.

"We do not want a loaded firearm readily accessible to the driver of a car,'' said Born.

When presented with the fact that a firearm is useless in a pinch if it's locked up, Born responded: "If there's a dangerous situation and you're in your car, you can drive off.''

The following news accounts depict what can happen to people who go about Ohio without taking proper self-defense precautions. No thanks to Capt. Born and the OSHP, fewer and fewer Ohioans today will be defenseless when they are attacked in their cars. Unfortunately, as can be seen from the following stories, not everyone has yet learned that they have only themselves to rely on for their protection.

Columbus: Father of three stabbed to death at stop light

Jason Schmalenberger, 33, was stabbed about 2 p.m. Sunday at Parsons Avenue and London-Groveport Road.

Rick Rice, Schmalenberger’s cousin, was a passenger in his car. He called 911 immediately after the stabbing, saying the men in Gover’s car were "road raging" and "beating people up."

Based on statements from Gover and the others in that car — a man who was driving and three juveniles — detectives with the sheriff’s office said the men felt Schmalenberger’s vehicle had cut them off. The sheriff’s office won’t release the names of the others in Gover’s car.

They followed Schmalenberger for about 4 miles, then pulled in front of him at the intersection.
Authorities said Gover then charged over to Schmalenberger’s van and stabbed him in the chest, back and legs.

According to the newspaper, Schmalenberger's passenger, Rick Rice, disputes the attacker's version of what happened, saying Schmalenberger never cut off the other car. Rice told the Dispatch that he and Schmalenberger, who were on their way to play golf, laughed about the car’s not having license plates when it passed them, but they never expected trouble when they pulled behind it at a stop sign.
"Everything was 100 percent unprovoked," Rice said.

Again, from the story:

At the intersection, Gover and the other four got out of their car and approached the van. "We were laughing. We thought it was a Chinese fire drill," Rice said.

But Rice said two of the men quickly held the passenger van door shut while Gover opened the driver’s side and began fighting with Schmalenberger. Rice said he never saw the lockblade folding knife, but he said he heard Gover scream, "Give me my knife!" at least three times.

Rice said the men fled as Schmalenberger followed them and he called 911. Seconds later, Schmalenberger crashed at a low speed into a guardrail.

"He looked over at me, and he said, ‘I’m not doing so good.’ And he fell over in my arms and died right there," Rice said. "That’s when I seen two holes in his chest and a hole in his leg."

Schmalenberger "was killed in a brutal way, for absolutely no reason," said Steve Martin, chief deputy of the sheriff’s office.

Dayton: Car owner shot during theft bid

In a story that recalls memories of the attack that killed Tony Gordon in 2003, the DDN is reporting that a Dayton man was shot in the leg about 7:30 p.m. Friday after two men attempted to steal his vehicle for its custom wheels.

From the story:

The shooting occurred at 1527 Almore St. as the man, 24, walked outside his home.

Two men in dark clothing fled, Lt. John Bardun said.

The car the men were apparently trying to steal had expensive, fancy wheel rims, Bardun said.

The car's owner was reported in good condition at a local hospital.

Ohio now provides a legal means to ensure you won't get Borned.
Stop Putting It Off. Get Your Concealed Handgun License!