February 24, 2004
Toledo Blade

Apparently still stinging from snatching defeat from the jaws of victory, the Ohio Coalition Against Gun Violence is again attempting to wield its influence regarding the issue of concealed carry.

Although displaying remarkable tenacity in its fight for a lost cause, the OCAGV authorized a press release on Feb. 13 encouraging all that "If you see someone with a gun, continue to assume their activity is suspicious. Call law enforcement to investigate and leave the area."

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Attorney general must print material; sheriffs may not have staff for permits

February 23, 2004
Columbus Dispatch

While the state attorney general’s office wrestles with the complicated conceal/carry law for its advent April 8, proponents and opponents are waging an Internet battle to try to influence how it plays out.

Anti-gun groups are lobbying businesses to ban handguns, which is allowed under the controversial law passed by the legislature Jan. 7. The Ohio Coalition Against Gun Violence Web site allows Ohioans to download a "Weapon Free Zone" poster that can be used at a private business.

Not to be outdone, Ohioans for Concealed Carry has beefed up its Web site with information on how to get a permit. The site also has articles rebutting opponents’ attempts to minimize concealed handguns.

Robert A. Cornwell of the Buckeye State Sheriffs Association says his group is helping train county sheriffs for an anticipated rush to get permits when it comes time to receive applications.

"Although the bill is effective April 8 . . . we may not be able to meet that date," Cornwell said. He explained that sheriffs can’t start taking applications until they receive all the materials from the office of Attorney General Jim Petro and the Ohio Peace Officer Training Commission, which is preparing the forms and a pamphlet that is required reading.

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Ohio's businesses have NO business infringing on their employees' and customers' right to bear arms for self-defense.

Police seek 2 men who beat, robbed lawn-service owner

February 24, 2004
Columbus Dispatch

A robbery in Blendon Township is the crime of the week in the Crime Stoppers program.

On Feb. 15, the owner of McLain’s Lawn Service, 6161 Westerville Rd., surprised two men stealing rock salt. The men beat the owner with a blunt object, and kicked and hit him.

They then stole the owner’s cell phone and drove away in a white box truck with a flat-nose cab that had a "Public Storage/Rental" sign on the side.

Crime Stoppers is offering up to $2,000 for information received by March 3 that leads to an arrest and indictment. Information received after that could yield a lesser reward. Call 614-645-TIPS (8477).

Akron man carrying virus accused of sexual assault mistakenly let out of jail

Feb. 24, 2004
Akron Beacon Journal

An HIV-infected Akron man accused of raping a man and beating another was mistakenly released from the Summit County Jail almost two weeks ago.

So far, sheriff's deputies have been unable to locate Patrick C. Geiger, 35, who was allowed to leave the county jail Feb. 13 on a signature bond.

Deputies who released Geiger were apparently unaware he was supposed to be held under a $50,000 bond due to his arrest in a second case.

Geiger was charged with kidnapping and felonious assault in connection with an incident on Feb. 10 when he allegedly kidnapped a 42-year-old man from his apartment complex and assaulted him, puncturing his lungs, fracturing his ribs and bruising his torso.

He was arraigned in Akron Municipal Court on Feb. 11 on the second offense and Judge Annalisa Stubbs Williams set bond at $50,000.

The victim in the August case called Geiger's release from jail ``absolutely, utterly appalling'' and blamed it on a ``lack of professionalism'' in the county legal system.

Court records indicate that Geiger has tested positive for HIV, the virus that causes AIDS.

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``I don't want him out. I want him behind bars. I want him behind bars because of what happened to me. There was never anything safe, sane or consensual about what happened to me,'' the man said.

``It has been a tooth-and-nail fight through the whole thing for me to have him kept behind bars, where he belongs. It took a month and a half before they even let me sign the charges.

``And now for him to be out on bond, after there has been another victim while he was on house arrest, is absolutely, utterly appalling. I'm just completely appalled at the lack of professionalism in the legal system and the incompetence.

``This guy is extremely dangerous. He's going to kill somebody. There shouldn't be any bond.''

Click here for the entire story from the Akron Beacon Journal.

Commentary:
According to the 2003 National Crime Victimization Survey, 93% of violent crimes against innocent citizens last year were carried out without the criminal use of a firearm. 96% of rapes and 75% of robberies were committed by criminals without firearms. So why is the anti-gunners' answer to violence is to make it more difficult for law-abiding citizens to obtain firearms, or the right to bear them for self-defense?

Related Story:
Port Clinton rapist prompts ''Safety Awareness Rally''

On-campus theft attempted as well

February 24, 2004
The (University of Cincinnati) News Record

Another armed robbery was reported early Friday morning, and an on-campus theft attempt was reported Thursday.

Two men with handguns approached four students at about 1:30 a.m. Friday on Warner Street near West Clifton Avenue and demanded their money, according to the students.

"We just gave them what they wanted," said fourth-year industrial design student Alex Adamson.

Ten other off-campus robberies, usually men with guns approaching lone students between 8 p.m. and midnight, have occurred since Feb. 3, according to police reports.

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