On August 3, businessman and Ohio CHL-holder Bill Singleton was ambushed by three robbers outside his check-cashing business. Despite being mortally wounded, Singleton was able to return fire, fatally wounding one of his attackers. Two others are still at large.

In the hours that followed, friends and neighbors began weighing in on the anger and frustration they feel at begin so helpless in their neighborhood.

"It's not safe for any color, any race. It's not safe for nobody any more," said area resident Carolyn Johnson. "I got robbed on East 156th myself."

Ray Beverly, who manages the video store across the street, says he could have easily been killed like Singleton because he was just robbed at gunpoint and pistol-whipped the previous afternoon.

Cleveland City Councilman Mike Polensek (who represents Ward 11 where the attack occurred) was also quick to the cameras, expressing "outrage":

"Here's another, decent black businessman, an African-American businessman gunned down, for what, because he made an investment in our city," he said. "We are being preyed upon by predators and we have got to send a message to the predators that it's over. You can't continue to do this. We have to say to that hoodlum element that you are not going to get away with what you are doing. We're going to track you down."

But Polensek has a long history of support for gun control, and of consorting with activists who fought against the very law which now sends just this sort of message to criminals in Ohio.

August 5, 2004
Lorain Morning Journal

To the Editor:

William Singleton, a respected African-American Cleveland business owner, was killed Tuesday when three robbers allegedly shot him before he had time to respond to their demands. This occurred less than a week after a newspaper published his name in a list of concealed carry license holders.

Criminals may be dumb, but often they are resourceful. They take any opportunity to be ahead of the curve, assuring success against their victims. Opportunity becomes available when they know who does, and does not, have a license for concealed carry.

Some newspapers have printed names and compiled Internet lists of concealed carry license holders claiming it's their "right" and a public service. Meanwhile, they're giving abusive spouses a resource to locate their victimized wives or husbands. They're providing criminals with the names of homeowners who have guns that can be stolen. And worse yet, they're publishing the names of business owners who criminals might now shoot first before robbing.

A federal law was passed protecting a driver's information after a stalker killed actress Rebecca Shaefer. He located her because her license plate information was public record. This was something the media used to think was a "right." Did William Singleton's shooters know he was armed? I can't claim to know, but how many dead business owners, stolen guns and exposed spouses in hiding will it take for these newspapers to figure out who the bad guys really are and whose rights are really being infringed?

Jason Muhich
Sheffield Township

Related Story:
Days after Plain Dealer ''outing''; CHL-holder Bill Singleton is dead

----- Original Message -----
From: Randy Garcia
Sent: Tuesday, August 03, 2004
Subject: Anti-gunners vanadlize my property

My name is Randy Garcia and I am an OFCC member and also an NRA Pistol Instructor.

I have been promoting a Concealed Handgun class in North Ridgeville and discovered that one of my 7 foot banners out in front of the hall had the words "Cancelled" spray painted on it and then was stolen a day later.

I have reported this to the North Ridgeville police and expressed concern with the loss of business that I experienced by turning away customers during the busy weekend traffic. I had a concerned person wondering why the class was cancelled.

This all happened on busy Center Ridge Rd at 34445. I will not back down and the show will happen regardless of those that don't want me there!

Randy Garcia
Buckeye Firearms Training LLC
PO Box 241
Grafton, OH 44044

For information on Mr. Garcia's August 27 concealed carry class, and many others across the state, please visit www.ohioccwtraining.org

Related Story:
Gun Grabbers Posting Signs Without Permission