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 more violence in Cleveland to the AK-47, 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.

7/15/07: Cleveland, Ohio: Violence Hits City Streets Again Over Weekend

From the article:

There were three shootings in Cleveland overnight Saturday.

In one shooting on Carrington on the city's west side, a 50-year-old woman was shot multiple times and a 63-year-old man was shot and stabbed.

Also from the article:

Last year 119 people were killed in Cleveland, the deadliest year since 1996.

This year 68 people have been killed, and that doesn't count three weekend deaths that could be ruled homicides. At this rate, Cleveland could have more than 130 homicides this year.

As Cleveland's homicide rate skyrockets, they continue to waste money and resources targeting law-abiding gun-owners instead of real criminals.

7/14/07: Port Clinton, Ohio: Rifle, Pistol Competitors Aim To Excel

From the article:

Ex p e r t shooters from around the country are making their annual pilgrimage to the shores of Lake Erie for the 100th edition of the NRA National Rifle and Pistol Matches at Camp Perry, the spacious Ohio National Guard installation that will host more than 6,000 competitors over the next month.

The pistol competition this weekend kicked off the Super Bowl of the shooting sports, with 732 signed up to test their skills on 25- and 50-yard targets. It is followed by the smallbore rifle and high-powered rifle matches, the latter drawing the largest crowds.

If you can't make it this year, make sure that you attend next year. The competetion at Camp Perry has become a time honored tradition for competitive shooters.

7/13/07: Newark, Ohio: Boy Credited With Saving Friend From Dog Attack

From the article:

A young boy was mauled by a dog and his friend is credited with saving his life.

Also from the article:

The dogs, some pit bulls and others mixed breed, then turned on their owner. "Then, they came after him," Whalen said. "He was screaming and then there were like five (dogs) on him."

The dogs bit their owner multiple times in the shoulder, arm and leg.

Whalen said he ran into the house and grabbed a gun.

"I fired four shots in the air to warn them to get off. So, I shot one and killed it and I think I wounded another," he said.

The boys then called 911, Basista reported.

The gun-grabbers would like you to believe that allowing a child access to a firearm is always a bad thing that leads to tragedy. However, this incident shows that a child with access to a firearm can save a life.

7/12/07: Newark, Ohio: Pizza Driver Shot To Death

From the article:

That life was cut short when Swick, 41, of Newark, was shot and killed trying to deliver a pizza no one wanted about 11:30 p.m. Tuesday on Jefferson Street in Newark.

Police are calling the killing an attempted robbery, although no money was taken. No one at the home where Swick was delivering had ordered a pizza, they said.

Just 19 hours earlier, another Newark pizza delivery driver was robbed at gunpoint by three people. The robbers took cash and some personal effects before running away.

Most large chain pizza restaurants forbid their drivers from carrying a firearm for protection while making deliveries. This tragic incident may have ended differently if the victim was carrying a firearm. At this time, it is unknown if this Papa John's Pizza had a "No guns" policy.

7/7/07: International: AK-47 Inventor Doesn't Lose Sleep

From the article:

Sixty years after the AK-47 went into production, Mikhail Kalashnikov says he does not stay awake at night worrying about the bloodshed wrought by the world's most popular assault rifle.

"I sleep well. It's the politicians who are to blame for failing to come to an agreement and resorting to violence," Kalashnikov said Friday at a ceremony marking the birth of the rifle, whose initials stand for "Avtomat Kalashnikov."

The AK-47 is an excellent rifle that has been used by people to defend themselves, and to free themselves from evil dictators.