Ohioans For Concealed Carry's Larry S. Moore participated last evening in a roundtable discussion on the issue of concealed handgun licenses and open records. The event was sponsored by the Associated Press Managing Editors Association, and hosted by the Dayton Daily News.

Although more complete coverage of this event is slated for the Sunday issue of the Dayton Daily News, the Associated Press' first take on the roundtable comes off almost as if it was written beforehand, as it strictly follows the template for biased reporting on this issue. (The AP did published a pre-roundtable yesterday).

From the use of the poll-tested phrase "hidden guns" to the overweighting of quotes from people who fear CHL-holders, this article does not bode well to any additional coverage readers can expect from the AP...

From the story:

The question of whether Ohioans have a right to know who among them
carry hidden guns divided law enforcement officials, journalists and private
citizens at a public discussion Thursday.

A selected panel of 17 people gathered at Sinclair Community College to
debate whether citizens' rights to get public records outweigh individuals'
privacy.

The discussion focused on whether Ohio's conceal-carry law unfairly keeps
the public from finding out who is carrying hidden guns or protects the
safety of people who have received gun permits.

Terri Clary, a data processor from suburban Miamisburg, said she wants to
know who has guns so she can protect herself and her family.

"If I knew someone was carrying a gun, I might not let my child ride in a
car with them," Clary said.

Larry Moore, coordinator for Ohioans for Concealed Carry, said publishing
the names of law-abiding permitholders doesn't make anyone safer. And Dayton
police Chief Julian Davis said police are more concerned about the people
with guns who don't have permits.

After a brief background on the how the Media Access Loophole works (and a short mention that it is being abused), the story continues:

Panel member Jeff Bruce, editor of the Dayton Daily News, said access to the
records enables news organizations to do stories on how the law is working
and to track trends, such as whether gun-carrying permitholders live in
high-crime areas.

The discussion drew an audience of about 25 people.

Among them was Joe Hauser, 28, of suburban Centerville, who felt strongly
that the names of permit holders should be available to the public.

"I feel I have every right to know you can instantaneously shoot me dead,"
he said.

It is important to note here that the audience was invitation-only. The AP and DDN themselves created the environment for this meeting, just like the AP (and the DDN by publishing the story) is now creating the picture of what it was like to be there. But that picture is wrong.

Click on the "Read More..." link below to read Larry Moore's own analysis of the roundtable, and see if you find yourself wondering if AP reporter James Hannah, who wrote the above story, was at the same event.

NBC4i.com is reporting that a homeowner shot a burglary suspect early Thursday morning at his own home on the city's west side.

From the story:

The homeowner said two people kicked in the door and entered the living room of his Volney Avenue home at about 12:40 a.m. The resident said he feared for his safety and shot at the burglars twice, striking one of them in the upper torso.

The unidentified suspect was found a short distance from the home and was transported to Mount Carmel West Hospital.
The suspect was listed in stable condition.

The other suspected burglar was not found.

The incident remains under investigation.

This incident presents quite a contrast to the experience of a defenseless Mansfield couple who were recently shot in their home when it was invaded.

Dayton's WDTN is reporting that "there were some scary moments at a Dayton bus stop Wednesday night as a man was shot while waiting for the bus."

From the story:

The victim was rushed to Miami Valley Hospital after being shot twice in the stomach. According to police he was just waiting for the bus with his girlfriend and did not know his attackers.

It happened just after 11 Wednesday night.

Officers say four people were at the RTA bus stop on West Third near College when two men walked by starting an argument with them. Police say the suspects began making comments about the victim's girlfriend, a fight ensued, and that's when one of the suspects opened fire.

"One of the suspects pulled out a gun and shot the guy in the stomach twice. The suspects went down College and east on Mercer," said Lt. Robert Mannix.

At last report, all Dayton RTA busses are posted with "no-guns" signs, despite a statement by Ohio Attorney General Jim Petro last year that such signs are not enforceable. As as result, anyone waiting for the bus are being affirmatively rendered defenseless victims.

Related Stories:
''Near riot'' at ''no-guns'' Dayton RTA hub

Dayton RTA psgr. shoots self in leg; exposes media access loophole folly

Dayton bus stop crime highlights ongoing violations by Ohio RTAs