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 self-defense shooting to an increasing murder rate, 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.
12/30/06: Ross County, Ohio: Man’s Shooting Was Self-Defense, Grand Jury Says
From the article:
A Ross County grand jury did not indict a man accused of killing his daughter’s boyfriend, saying he acted in self-defense when he shot the man who had threatened his family.
Acting Ross County Prosecutor Michael Ater said he will drop murder charges against Billy E. Moore, 46, who was arrested shortly after the Christmas Eve shooting.
The victim is alive and was able to defend himself, because he had a firearm. At this time it is unknown if he had a CHL. While the victim will not face criminal charges, he may face a civil lawsuit. That is just another reason why we need to pass a "Stand Your Ground" law in Ohio.
12/30/06: Cleves, Ohio: Police Pistol, Gear Stolen From Car
From the article:
Thieves stole the gun and nearly $5,000 worth of other police equipment from the personal car of a Cincinnati police investigations supervisor this month, according to a Cleves police report.
Buckeye Firearms Association would like to join the Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms (CCRKBA) in asking the incoming House Judiciary Chairman Rep. John Conyers, to close the "police gun loophole."
12/28/06: Columbus, Ohio: Taft Signs Bill To Ease Citizens' Access To Public Records
From the article:
Gov. Bob Taft signed a bill into law yesterday that is designed to better arm citizens in enforcing their right to access public records.
Buckeye Firearms Association would like to know why the self-appointed crusader for home rule, Bob Taft, did not veto this bill on the grounds that it violated the home rule powers of some Ohio cities? According to Taft, that was the reason he vetoed HB 347.
12/28/06: Columbus, Ohio: Petro Leaves Office Thinking Of Policy
From the article:
In the case of concealed-carry laws overriding local government control, Petro argued for the legislature's pro-carry position against the cities' home rule position, even though he would more likely have favored home rule if he had made the overall decision himself.
"We took their side (in the General Assembly) because the statute directed it," he said. "We are the lawyer for the General Assembly, arguing in favor of the validity of statutes. There's nothing more debatable in Ohio law than the authority of local governments versus the authority of the state government. But I would be comfortable arguing that local governments have that authority."
It looks like it was a good thing that Petro lost in the primary to Ken Blackwell and did not become our next governor. It is scary that Petro would be willing to make an arguement that home rule gives cities powers to infringe upon our constitutional rights based upon where you live.
12/28/06: Ohio: Murder Numbers Up In Ohio Big Cities
From the article:
The number of murders climbed this year in New York and many other major U.S. cities, including Cincinnati and Cleveland, with homicides reaching their highest levels in a decade in some places.
This is more proof that the strict gun control laws in the big cities DO NOT decrease crime. They only make it easier for criminals to prey upon the innocent.
