Pro-Gun Punditry: Wednesday's Buckeye State Roundabout

By Chris Chumita

There are more stories pertaining to our gun rights in Ohio then we can possibly draw attention to with individual daily commentary. But they are all worthy of mention.

What follows is our review of headlines from around the state though a pro-gun rights lens.

From a home owner fighting back to a petition to stop another assault rifle ban, these articles should be a part of your required reading!

Click on the "Read More..." link below for several days of headlines accompanied by short, concise pro-gun analysis.

3/4/2007: Columbus, Ohio" Franklinton Man, 79, Kills Intruder, Police Say

From the article:

A 79-year-old Franklinton man struggled with and fatally shot an armed intruder at his home last night, police say.

"The intruder kicked in the back door and struck the homeowner, knocking him down," said Columbus Police homicide detective William B. Rotthoff. "They wrestled. The homeowner grabbed the intruder’s gun, pulled out his own pistol and shot him in the chest."

Columbus has very strict gun laws, and they did not protect the victim. However, a firearm did. Without a firearm, the victim may have been killed instead of the intuder.

3/2/2007: Columbus, Ohio: City Holds Forum On Armed Robberies

From the article:

"What steps have police taken" to prevent robberies, such as the one that ended in the fatal shooting of an immigrant store owner in January, Iqbal asked.

Columbus police are doing the best they can trying to protect a population that is growing much larger and more diverse, Cmdr. Jeff Blackwell said.

It looks like armed robberies continue to be a problem despite Columbus' strict gun control laws.

Also from the article:

Columbus police are doing the best they can trying to protect a population that is growing much larger and more diverse, Cmdr. Jeff Blackwell said.

"We’re overwhelmed and underappreciated," Blackwell said. "Our officers go from call to call. They don’t have time to stop and talk. Sometimes they go without lunch."

During the forum, Columbus Police Commander Jeff Blackwell admitted that the Columbus police are overwhelmed. If the police are overwhelmed, why do they continually try to disarm the law-abiding?

3/1/2007: National: NRA Is A Force For Destruction

From the article:

The nation's police chiefs have a serious problem. Their troops are being out-gunned, and to correct the situation taxpayers must increase law-enforcement budgets substantially or find some way to ban the circulation of weapons and ammunition meant for the battlefield, mainly, semiautomatic assault rifles and armor-piercing bullets.

Because the latter alternative is not politically practical, the cost of law enforcement can be expected to rise considerably. And where citizens are unwilling to spend the money to equip their guardians with weapons and armor now readily available to criminals, the threat to themselves and those they hire to protect them is likely to increase proportionately. It's just that simple.

This just another article that bashes the NRA and blames the "gun culture" for crime. It tries to blame Second Amendment activists for crime, and seems to give a free pass to the criminal.

3/1/2007: Cincinnati, Ohio: Xavier Issues Safety Bulletin

From the article:

A robbery at Xavier University housing late Wednesday is prompting university officials to issue a safety bulletin today warning students to be on guard and lock their doors.

A man walked into an unlocked home in the 1500 block of Dana Avenue about 10:30 p.m. and pressed what seemed like a gun against a male student, police said earlier today.

Another home invasion and another robbery. Our university campuses should NOT be criminal protection zones!

3/1/2007: Columbus, Ohio: Gunmen Sought After Violent Home Break-Ins

From the article:

Two armed gunmen are on the run after breaking into two apartments. The breakins occurred at the Parkview Apartments on East Mound Street at about 3 a.m., NBC 4 reported.

Police said a muddy footprint marked the spot where an armed man kicked the door of Orlando Fort's home. Fort said the men shouted and held a gun to his head before stealing money and hitting him over the head with his laptop computer.

Two more violent home invasions in Columbus. It is also more proof that strict gun control laws prevents violent crime and that the police can protect us from the predators.

2/28/2007: United Kingdom: Disarmed U.K. Sees Bigger Rise In Violent Crime

From the article:

According to European Sourcebook of Crime & Criminal Justice statistics, between 1997-2001, violent crime in the United Kingdom increased by 26 percent (no doubt one of Teepen's "putatively civilized" countries with "common-sense gun control"), while the gun-mad U.S. saw a 12 percent increase. The increase for 2000-2001 was 11 percent in the U.K. and 1 percent here.

Between 1997-2001, robbery in the U.K. increased 92 percent; in the U.S., the figure was 15 percent. The increase for 2000-2001 was 28 percent for the U.K. and only 4 percent here.

From those numbers, it really proves that gun control works. That is if "works" means increasing violent crime and leaving the law-abiding defenseless.

2/28/2007: Dayton, Ohio: 3 Men Wanted In Robbery Of Pizza Delivery Man

From the article:

Police in Dayton are searching for three men who robbed a pizza delivery man early Wednesday morning.

Many of the major pizza companies prohibit their delivery drivers from carrying a concealed handgun while at work. It is unknown if Weis Pizza has a similiar policy. These policies are dangerous and leave their drivers defenseless.

2/27/2007: National: The NRA’s Jack-Booted Thugs

From the article:

The tactics utilized by the NRA and the gun owners who refuse to even consider a second opinion from one of their own show jack boot thuggery is not limited to the U.S. Department of Justice. Where I come from that’s known as the pot calling the kettle black.

This article is another attack piece on the NRA that also tries to defend Zumbo's comments about so-called assault rifles.

2/26/07: National: National Right-to-Carry Bill Introduced in Senate

From the article:

The importance of this bill cannot be understated. To quote Charlton Heston, former President of the NRA, “the Second Amendment is America’s first freedom.” The American citizen’s right to bear and present arms is one that has been around since this nation’s inception and has continually stood the test of time. If this bill were to pass, the “right to carry” would be an easy way to keep safe no matter where one traveled in America, which was the intention of our founding fathers.

We must get this bill passed. Contact your US Representative and Senator and ask them to support the National Right-to-Carry Bill!

2/26/2007: Granville, Ohio: Update: Granville Robber 'Like A Professional'

From the article:

Police are still searching for a man tied up grocery store employees and robbed them at gun point last night.

Around 10:30 Sunday night, man who had been in Ross’ Granville Market for at least a half hour put a ski mask over his face and pulled out a gun.

Crime can happen anywhere, even in sleepy little communities like Granville. That is why it is important for people to fight for their right to bear arms in EVERY town in the country.

2/24/2007: Limon, Costa Rica: Would-Be Robber Slain By Tourist From Cruise Ship

From the article:

An American tourist who watched as a U.S. military veteran in his 70s used his bare hands to kill an armed assailant in Costa Rica said she thought the attempted robbery was a joke — until the masked attacker held a gun to her head.

This should serve as a warning that American tourists are not helpless victims!

2/24/2007: National: The Most Sweeping Gun Ban Ever Introduced In Congress

From the article:

On Feb. 14, 2007, Representative Carolyn McCarthy (D-N.Y.) introduced H.R. 1022, a bill with the stated purpose, “to reauthorize the assault weapons ban, and for other purposes.”

If you thought that Clinton's Assault Weapon Ban was bad, then you will really hate H.R. 1022. It has been referred to as the "Clinton Assault Weapon Ban on steroids." We all need to contact our U.S. Representative and ask them to oppose H.R. 1022.

2/24/2007: Lorain, Ohio: Bond Set At $100K For Ex-Firefighter In Bank Robbery Case

From the article:

Former city firefighter James Mielcarek is being held on $100,000 bond after police say he robbed a downtown bank by handing a teller a note demanding money.

Police say Mielcarek, who never hinted at having a weapon, walked away with an undisclosed amount of money from Fifth Third Bank on Broadway.

The Fifth Third Bank is a criminal protection zone, because is does not allow law-abiding citizens from carrying a concealed handgun inside their bank. A gun was not used, but the sign did not prevent them from being robbed.

2/23/2007: Muskingum County, Ohio: Poachers convicted in Muskingum County

From the article:

Three Muskingum County residents were convicted last week of 31 charges related to the poaching of white-tailed deer, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife.

The three were ordered to pay a total of $3,250 in fines. In addition, their hunting privileges were suspended and they were ordered to forfeit rifles and crossbows used in the illegal activities. All venison was forfeited and will be donated to Christ Table in Zanesville.

Poachers give all sportsmen a bad name and should receive the maximum penalty allowed by the law.

2/2007: National: No To HR 1022, "Assault Weapons Ban" Petition

From the article:

The attempt to renew and augment the expired federal "assault weapons ban" will not be tolerated.

Did you sign the petition yet?