September 3, 2003

In a victory for gun owners, the Michigan Supreme Court has refused to hear an appeal of a lower court decision that cities can't ban handguns from city halls, libraries and other public buildings.

The decision gives a victory to a statewide gun-rights group that challenged a 2001 ban by Ferndale on guns in city buildings.

In a 3-0 decision, a panel of Michigan Court of Appeals judges ruled in May that communities can't add restrictions to state rules on where gun owners can carry a weapon.

Gun-rights groups praised both the appeals court and state Supreme Court's Friday decision, including the Lansing-based Michigan Coalition for Responsible Gun Owners (MCRGO), which sued Ferndale to overturn its ordinance.

"As MCRGO basks in yet another victory for law-abiding gun owners everywhere, it is important to remember that significant challenges remain" said Charles Perricone, the group's executive director on its Web site, http://mcrgo.org.

The decision means that signs banning guns in Ferndale's library and the Saline City Hall, among others, must come down.

Ferndale Mayor Bob Porter said the decision in Lansing put an end for the time being to his city's efforts to keep the ordinance on its books. Porter said signs banning guns in Ferndale's city buildings would come down this week.

The decision "means that somebody packing a gun can walk into our police department or our code enforcement offices or our council chambers. Look at what happened in New York in July," Porter said, referring to the recent fatal shooting of a city council member.

Commentary:
Yeah, Mayor Bob. Look at what happened in New York City Hall - all those liberal anti-gun laws, and a criminal still managed to commit his horrible acts - until an armed person stopped him.

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Gov. Taft recently spent time with MI Gov. Granholm in Washington D.C. They were there to investigate the Great 2003 Northeast Blackout (which Taft avoided by staying on vacation in Quebec). Let's hope she worked in a few words about the success of Michigan's CCW law to date.

Click here to read the entire story in the Detroit Free-Press.

Related Stories:

Dispatch: NOW they Print it - "Other States with Carry Laws See Few Problems"

Michigan: Crime Fighter Mom Fights Crime

Letter to the Editor: ''Michigan takes more civilized view'' on CCW

Tale of Two Cities: Warren man kidnapped, Detroit man defends self

Vol Market owners carry handguns openly to deter crime

At the Vol Market No. 3 on Western Avenue, the person preparing your food, cashing your check or ringing you up at the register likely will be wearing a holstered handgun on their hip.

But unlike most Tennesseans who have a handgun carry permit, Vol Market owners have decided that open display as a visual deterrent is preferable to concealment as final protection.

The guns are an absolute last resort, said Alan Frye, 32, whose father, "Stormin' " Norman Frye, started the Vol Market chain years ago and operated the one on Cumberland Avenue for many years.

"This is a challenge to anybody," said Alan Frye. "We're just protecting what we have worked long and hard for, and protecting our customers. We don't want to shoot anybody. But we couldn't be in this business without the pistols."

Click on the "Read More..." link below for more.

Yet another eye-opening study course has been added to the OFCC PAC Education Guide.

Dr. Sarah Thompson, is Executive Director of Utah Gun Owners Alliance, and also writes The Righter, a monthly column on individual rights. She is also a psychiatrist, and has published an excellent essay examining the anti-gun mentality from a psychiatric perspective, on the Jews for the Preservation of Firearms website. Not only does Dr. Thompson explain how such people think, but she gives excellent advice on how to better communicate with them.

Dr. Thompson's own words lend insight to her piece better than we ever could:

"If I were to summarize this article in three sentences, they would be:

(1) People who identify themselves as "victims" harbor excessive amounts of rage at other people, whom they perceive as "not victims."

(2) In order psychologically to deal with this rage, these "victims" utilize defense mechanisms that enable them to harm others in socially acceptable ways, without accepting responsibility or suffering guilt, and without having to give up their status as "victims."

(3) Gun owners are frequently the targets of professional victims because gun owners are willing and able to prevent their own victimization."

Dr. Thompson's piece can be accessed in the OFCC PAC Education Guide - it's time for class!

After you've studied up, the Cleveland Plain Dealer is promoting an excellent opportunity to practice your new communication skills:

Gun law discussion - CLEVELAND HEIGHTS

The Inter Act Cleveland Coalition to Prevent Gun Violence will have a lunch and discussion at noon Sept. 10 at St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 2747 Fairmount Blvd. The topic is "Right Under Our Noses," focusing on problems with existing gun laws and in proposed legislation, including Ohio's plan to allow ordinary citizens to carry concealed firearms. The lunch is free, but donations will be accepted. Reservations are required. Call 216-361-5890.

The bureaucrats at the Ohio State Highway Patrol oppose HB12, and oppose any legalization of your right to bear arms for self-defense in your vehicle. They say you have other options when attacked in your car, such as to "drive off." It is with much sadness that we continue to report more and more examples of just how poor driving off is a means of self-"defense" .

Springfield News-Sun
September 4, 2003

A man fired three to four shots early Sunday at a car occupied by five people, police said.

Kathryn Shockey, 18, told police she and her acquaintances were riding in a 1983 Oldsmobile at 3:20 a.m. when they encountered her ex-boyfriend. He was in a car with another man, who was driving.

The ex-boyfriend began to yell at her. When the Oldsmobile turned onto John Street, according to a police report, the ex-boyfriend followed.

The Oldsmobile stopped in the 1200 block of John. The ex-boyfriend left the car and continued yelling at Shockey. The driver drove down the street, came back and got out of his car.

Shockey told police the driver said, "I'm gonna light it up," then pulled out a handgun and began firing.

Shots hit the car's top and rear windshield. The windshield shattered, and the glass cut Shockey's back. She was treated at Community Hospital.

The glass also cut passenger Candice Bradley, 21. She did not seek medical treatment.

Other occupants in the car were Tiffany Adams, 24; Paul Judy, 24; and Luke Adams. They were uninjured.

Click here to read the story in the Springfield News-Sun.

DAYTON | A man who police say attacked an intoxicated woman in an Oregon Historic District parking lot while pretending to be a security guard was charged Friday with sexual battery.

Investigators are trying to determine if any other women had been approached or attacked, Sgt. Tom Flanders said.

"I would very much consider this the actions of a predator," Flanders said.

A judge set a $100,000 bond Friday for Derrick Lamont Rainey, 32.

Rainey is accused of approaching the 24-year-old woman Aug. 9 in the parking lot behind Ned Peppers bar, 419 E. Fifth St., where she was walking to clear her head, Flanders said.

Rainey, wearing a security officer's shirt, identified himself as a security guard and hinted that he was a police officer, Flanders said.

"He implied that he had backup," Flanders said. "He implied that he had partners."

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Rainey then performed several sexual acts on her, Flanders said.

Flanders said police are checking Rainey's activities.

"He's been seen at a number of different bars in the Oregon District," Flanders said. "Our concern is there may be other victims."

Victims might not have come forward because they were embarrassed, or because they were intoxicated during an attack. But police want to hear from anyone with information about Rainey, and should call Dayton police at 333-COPS, Flanders said.

OFCC PAC Commentary:
According to the Dept. of Justice's National Crime Victims Survey, 96% of rapes by predators without the use of a firearm.

Ohio law continues to protect predators like this from those potential victims who would choose to defend themselves.

OFCC is pro-choice when it comes to personal protection/ self-defense. We think those who want to defend themselves instead of waiting fifteen minutes for the police should have that choice. Her body, her choice - isn't that what they say?

No one has ever said that concealed carry reform legislation could stamp out all crime. Unfortunately, innocent people will still be attacked (albeit fewer of them, as proved across the country). Like the framers of our state Constitution (see Article 1, Sec. 4), we want Ohioans to have the choice of how they want to deal with that reality.

Click here to read the entire story from the Dayton Daily News.