Victim Zone Prohibitions cannot protect the defenseless

August 5, 2004
NewsNet5.com (Canton)

Sex offender attacks child's mother on way to church

CANTON, Ohio -- Police in Canton said a registered sex offender attempted to abduct a woman in broad daylight across the street from the church where she was headed to attend Mass.

Detective Jack Angelo said the woman's 3-year-old son may have saved her by his crying.

Angelo said the woman reportedly stooped to replace the shoes her son had kicked off in the car when a man came up from behind, cupped one of his hands over her mouth and dragged her through the gravel as she kicked and struggled to scream.

The woman said she fought him with all her might.

The detective said the little boy began to cry and scream, evidently startling the man, who let her go and fled.

Commentary:
Despite repeated warnings, and without any demonstration whatsoever that there was a need, legislators who passed HB12 included places of worship among the list of buildings where concealed carry license-holders may not protect themselves.

No one has any facts or research to indicate that law-abiding, licensed gun owners pose any threat or danger in a place of worship, nor has any history of problems in other states been identified.

On every trip to and from worship, Ohio CHL-holders are rendered defenseless by state law (unless they have received special permission from church/synagogue/mosque officials). This simply should not be.