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 shooting at a church to a shooting in a school zone, these articles should be a part of your required reading!

What follows is several days of headlines accompanied by short, concise pro-gun analysis.

5/18/08: Los Angeles, California: Man Opens Fire Outside California Church

From the article:

A man with a rifle opened fire near a church Saturday morning in the San Fernando Valley and wounded three people, Los Angeles police said.

Fernando Diaz Jr., 33, was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder, said Los Angeles Police Officer Ana Aguirre. He was held in Van Nuys jail in lieu of $1.5 million bail.

"I don't really have too much to say about that. It's a personal thing between me and the church," Diaz said to The Associated Press before being taken to jail.

The gun-grabbers claim that there is no reason why we should be able to carry our firearms in churh or other places of worship. This incident and all of the other recent church shootings prove the need to carry while at church!

5/17/08: Cleveland, Ohio: Woman Attacked, Robbed During Brazen Daylight Robbery

From the article:

The 25-year old woman was walking through the parking lot of the Walgreen's Store when the suspect attempted to rob her of her purse. When the female resisted, the suspect repeatedly punched the woman in the head and face.

This incident is a perfect example of why you should carry your firearm all the time, even if you are just running to a store for a few minutes.

5/16/08: Troy, Ohio: Ohio Judge Tells Bailiff: Stay Away From Me

From the article:

A judge in southwest Ohio says he has begun carrying a gun at work after ordering a court employee to stay away from him.

Under Ohio law, it appears that some people's lives are more valuable than others. Under current Ohio law, citizens cannot carry firearms for self-defense in courthouses. You would have to depend on court security if you were in a courthouse and feared for your life. However, judges appear to be one of Ohio's privileged class that has a right to carry a firearm for self-defense in places that an average citizen can not.

5/16/08: Akron, Ohio: Clerks Fire On Suspected Robbers 2 Nights In Row

From the article:

Akron store clerks robbed at gunpoint fought back twice in two days.

Also from the article:

"Well, we've been reporting what seems like quite a bit lately in the news and some of our stores have been hit more than once and I think some of these store owners are getting tired of it and decided to take the law into their own hands. We do not encourage that but some have taken it upon themselves to take their own action," Akron police said.

Store clerks actually have very dangerous jobs, and may have to use a firearm to defend themselves. As this incident shows, they may have to use that firearm more than once. Unfortunately, it seems that the Akron Police Department would would rather have their citizens be victimed than fight back.

5/14/08: Columbus, Ohio: Protect Yourself Around Movie Theaters

From the article:

At least 40 break-ins occurred at AMC Lennox Town Center, located at 777 Kinnear Rd., near Upper Arlington. Police reports showed there were also reports of four fights; four juvenile complaints; three assaults; and 19 reports of suspicious cars or people, An reported.

Also from the article:

At Marcus Cinemas-Pickerington, located at 1776 Hill Road N., there was a police report filed of a sexual offense. Another report involved a man with a gun.

At downtown's Arena Grand Movie Theater, located at 175 W. Nationwide Blvd., a theater worker was robbed at gunpoint. Another time involved a man who was caught crawling under movie seats and looking through personal items.

A report was filed at Screens At The Continent, located at 6360 Busch Blvd., claiming that someone used Mace inside the theater and struck a small child in the eye.

Unfortunately, many movie theatres refuse to allow citizens from legally carrying firearms for self-defense, which makes it a perfect place to commit crimes. CHL-holders must secure their firearms in their vehicles if they decide to see a movie, which puts the firearm at risk of being stolen. That is exactly why victim zones can lead to stolen guns. The safest place for a gun is concealed on the hip of the person who owns it!

5/14/08: Cincinnati, Ohio: GOP To Sponsor Class For Concealed Carry Permit

From the article:

The Hamilton County Republican Party plans to sponsor a class for people to qualify for a permit to carry a concealed weapon, the party chairman said Wednesday.

It is nice to see these Ohio Republicans take a strong pro-active stand in support our Second Amendment rights.

5/13/08: Mount Healthy, Ohio: Teen Shot During Basketball Fight

From the article:

Responding to a call of a man shot at 8:20 p.m. at Duvall Elementary School on Compton Road, officers found a teenager on an outdoor basketball court at the school, shot in the leg. He was conscious and talking.

This couldn't have possibly happened, because it is illegal to take a gun onto a school premises. I guess someone forgot to inform the shooter that he was in a "gun free zone."