The Columbus Dispatch has published more detailed information on CHL-holder Cornell McCleary, who shot two men Wednesday night after he was punched in the face and surrounded by a threatening group of about 10 men.

From the story:

None of the men appeared to be armed, but "there’s no doubt in my mind they would have killed somebody," said McCleary, 51, who runs a security company and hosts a Sunday night talk show on WTVN (610 AM).

"This was a mob situation," he said.

With his .380-caliber semiautomatic pistol, McCleary shot the two men standing closest to him. He said one had just punched him and the other was about to attack. The gunfire sent the crowd running into a nearby apartment, he said.

According to the news story, the confrontation occurred at 5:55 p.m. while McCleary was working as a security guard for Rustic Ridge Apartments on Vineshire Drive.

Police told the Dispatch it started when a group of men threatened a couple who live at the East Side complex.

Again, from the story:

"We’re going to kill you," members of the group told the man, McCleary said. "I kept telling them to leave the property."

When McCleary tried to intervene, police said, more men showed up, and one of them punched McCleary in the face.

"The guy cold-cocked me," he said.

Then McCleary began firing.

It was the first time in his 23 years as a security guard that he’s had to shoot, McCleary said.

"It’s a new breed," he said of his alleged attackers. "They don’t need a reason."

The newspaper reports that the two men who were shot — Kevin Gullick, 36, and Mark Harmon, 20 — were taken to Grant Medical Center. Gullick was listed in serious condition last night; Harmon was released Wednesday night.

The newspaper reports that police questioned McCleary after the incident and released him. No one has been charged, and detectives continue to investigate.

NOTE: The Dispatch's reporters seem to be having a problem with using terminology that correctly describes Mr. McCleary's status as a concealed handgun license-holder.

Since Ohio's concealed carry law is only one year old, and since Ohio law does not require re-qualification for six years, doesn't that go without saying?

Ohio's newspapers continue to offer various and sundry excuses for why they should be allowed to continue treated law-abiding citizens as though they are sex offenders, suspicious neighbors in need of being watched. The following letter to the Marion Star has not (yet?) been published in the newspaper, but as it does an excellent job of highlighting the lie behind their claims for the necessity of the Media Access Loophole, we are happy to share it here.

March 26, 2005

Editor Thomas T. Graser
The Marion Star
150 Court Street
Marion, Ohio 43302

Dear Mr. Graser;

Reasonable people can agree to disagree in a reasonable manner. I respectfully disagree with your editorial of March 20, 2005 regarding possible changes to Ohio's Concealed Carry Law. Your editorial states that such changes are unnecessary. I believe that your stance on this issue is incorrect.

It is important for our legislators to tweak and improve the law. I trust that they will take this responsibility seriously. Some newspapers in Ohio have failed to follow the intent of the law. I have discussed this problem with a number of legislators, and shared my displeasure with the manner in which big city newspapers have printed the names and address of concealed carry permit holders.

The media access provision was added to the legislation so journalists could easily ascertain whether criminals had obtained a concealed carry permit prior to committing their crimes. To date, I have read only one article in the print media regarding inappropriate actions on the part of a concealed carry permit holder. That case was a traffic stop wherein no one was injured.

The media prints stories about motorcycle accidents and generally the last line of the story notes whether or not the accident victims are wearing helmets. Likewise, the last line of stories of automobile accidents advises whether the victims were wearing seat belts. I believe these are legitimate components of responsible media coverage.

Last Sunday, you also asked what we like in the newspaper. Here's what I would like: whenever a criminal is arrested after using a handgun in a crime, please note in the story whether the criminal has taken to trouble of obtaining a concealed carry permit, i.e., has taken and passed the class; filed fingerprints; submitted the application and fee; and received the license, after having been vetted and approved. That too, I believe, is a legitimate component of responsible media coverage.

Sincerely,

William S. Lee

CLICK HERE TO ASK YOUR LEGISLATORS TO PROTECT LAW-ABIDING PEOPLE BY AMENDING HOUSE BILL 9 AND CLOSING THE MEDIA ACCESS LOOPHOLE.

Related Story:
Two OH newsies buck media trend, call for close of Media Access Loophole

WHIOTV.com in Dayton is reporting that Dayton police are searching for a man suspected in the brutal attack and rape of his ex-girlfriend just hours after he was released from jail on an unrelated charge, and despite there having been still another warrant out for his arrest.

From the story:

Investigators said that early Monday morning, [Michael] Cohen led officers on a chase in Huber Heights. Officers eventually caught him and took him into custody.

He was booked into the Montgomery County Jail and then released at 4:26 a.m. Authorities said that at 5 a.m., Cohen entered his ex-girlfriend's home while she was sleeping, beat her and then raped her.

Police said Cohen was booked on a misdemeanor charge following the chase. Authorities said that a warrant had been issued for Cohen's arrest for a previous domestic violence charge, but were unable to find or verify the warrant before his release.

Authorities were forced to release Cohen because of the misdemeanor chase charge. They said it was only after he was released that they eventually discovered his warrant.

Commentary from Senate District 10 Coordinator Larry S. Moore:
Another predator turned out on the streets and he strikes again! It only took him about 34 minutes of freedom to attack and ruin a woman's life! She has now become one of the "one in four women" who will suffer a violent attack in their lifetime.

The police and the courts are not keeping these predators in jail, out of society, or protecting anyone in cases like these. Anyone that does not take seriously their own means of self-defense is relying on a system that, while the best in the world, is seriously flawed and fails to protect citizens. Only you can protect you.

Gun control has failed to make our streets safe, and funding cuts are forcing police departments to downsize. It is time for a new approach to crime deterrence.