Ohio newspapers publish two more examples of the 2 million-plus defensive uses of firearms that occur each year in our nation...

Athens Messenger: Burglary victim holds suspect at gunpoint

COOLVILLE — A Dixon Road man faces charges of burglary and child endangerment after he allegedly kicked in the door of a Brimstone Road residence while his child was waiting in his truck.

Danny Lantz Jr., 31, is being held in Southeastern Ohio Regional Jail and is scheduled to appear in court Aug. 3, according to Athens County Municipal Court records.

According to the sheriff's office, Lantz allegedly kicked in the front door of the residence of Leslie Washburn. At the time of the incident, Lantz's 5-year-old son was in his truck, which was in Washburn's driveway.

Washburn told deputies he was leaving his residence when he noticed the truck a short distance from the road. As he turned onto the street, the truck followed him. Washburn said he drove on County Road 50 past Twin Oaks Drive when he noticed the vehicle was no longer behind him, so he returned home.

Upon returning, Washburn said he saw the truck in his driveway, and it still was running. He also saw a man at his front door.

Washburn said he pressed the button on his automatic garage door opener, prompting the man to run to his vehicle. The man then allegedly backed his truck into Washburn's vehicle two times while attempting to escape.

While the vehicles were engaged, Washburn said he got out his vehicle, turning it over to his wife, and entered his garage to get his gun. While holding the man he now identifies as Lantz at gunpoint, he called 9-1-1.

Lantz was held at gunpoint by the property owner until Athens County Sheriff's deputies arrived.

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Dayton Daily News: Off-duty officer kills dog on the attack

An off-duty Dayton police officer fatally shot a mastiff dog at the scene of a crash Monday and the wounded animal jumped into the officer’s truck and onto his 8-year-old daughter before the officer pulled it off, authorities said.

The dog died inside Officer Phillip Brooks’ truck near the scene of the 5 p.m. crash at Hoover Avenue and Ohio 49, police Lt. John Bardun said.

The Third District patrolman and his daughter suffered scratches, Bardun said.

Trotwood police Sgt. Fred Beck said the man, 40, was driving his pickup east on Hoover when he attempted to turn north onto Ohio 49 and collided with the car the woman was driving westbound.

Beck and Bardun said Brooks saw the crash and intervened when he saw that the man did not stop, but continued for several hundred yards north and then pulled over. Brooks stopped, got out of his truck and identified himself, Bardun said. The man got out of his truck, followed by the dog, which then attacked Brooks and was shot, Bardun said.

The man who owns the dog was detained by Trotwood police.

More headlines like this on the way, courtesy of five Ohio newspapers who have published shopping lists of gun owners for criminals.

August 11,2004
Dayton Daily News

SPRING VALLEY TWP, Greene County — Law officers are searching for the suspect or suspects who stole rifles, shotguns, handguns and a crossbow from a home in Spring Valley Twp., Greene County sheriff's Maj. Eric Prindle said Tuesday.

The 10 weapons, valued at $4,570, were taken from a residence in the 3000 block of Anderson Road between 10 a.m. and 4:50 p.m. Friday, according to a sheriff's report.

The thief or thieves entered through an open window. Anyone with information about the theft should call the sheriff's office at 562-4800.

UPDATE! The Xenia Gazette is reporting that in another robbery in Green Co., on Mohican Street in Jamestown, a burglar entered the home while the family was away on vacation and took a handgun, ammunition and spare change.

August 11, 2004
Cleveland Plain Dealer

Karen Tucker states (Letters, Aug. 3), "Texas permit holders were arrested for weapons-related offenses at a rate 66 percent higher than that of the general population of the state." Since by definition, 100 percent of permit holders have weapons and only a small percentage of the general population have weapons, this statistic proves what, exactly?

When one looks at violent crimes, statistics show the permit-holder population to be more law-abiding than the general population. For instance, in 2001, Texas permit holders were convicted of violent crimes at a rate of 81.16 per 100,000, compared to a rate of 252.30 for the general population (http://www.tsra.com/DPS_convictions.htm).

Looking at arrests for violent crimes between 1996-2000, a study (found at http://www.tsra.com/arrests.htm) states, "The average male Texan who is 21 years or older is 7.7 times more likely to be arrested for the violent crimes of murder, rape, robbery, and assault than the average male CHL holder."

Also, "The average female Texan who is 21 years or older is 7.5 times more likely to be arrested for the violent crimes of murder and assault than the average female CHL holder."

Looking at violent crimes in general paints a truer picture of the concealed-weapon holder than a statistic dealing only with "weapons-related offenses."

Richard Troha
North Olmsted

Commentary:
Tucker probably also finds it striking that more people with drivers' licenses are involved in car crashes than people who don't drive. Excellent response, Mr. Troha!