By Dean Rieck

Anti-gun activists will undoubtedly pounce on the tragic shooting in Worthington, Ohio, and claim that it is proof that no one can be trusted with a gun. This is to be expected since such incidents are so rare and anti-gun arguments so flimsy. They have to latch onto anything and everything.

But most people will recognize this tragedy for what it is: simply an irresponsible person committing a crime.

The incident began innocently enough as a prank. According to media reports, five high-school girls drove to 141 Sharon Springs Drive, a supposedly “haunted” house beside a cemetery. It was sometime around 10 p.m. on August 22. Three of the girls got out of the car and approached the house through a tangle of weeds and bushes.

One of the girls in the car honked the horn, scaring the three girls on foot. The three ran back to the car while they heard what sounded like firecrackers, but which were actually gun shots. The girls drove around the block, passing the house again. It was then that a 17-year-old high school girl was shot twice, in the upper body and head. She is in critical condition.

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By Jim Irvine

There has been a fair amount of media coverage about Allen Davis, who shot a teenager in the head late Wednesday evening. She was in critical condition from the gun shot wound.

Our thoughts and prayers are with the high school girl in hopes that she makes a full recovery.

This case does not appear to have anything to do with concealed carry or a license holder. The shooter reportedly used a rifle and shot from inside his house at a car in the street. While the anti-gun crowd will use this case to argue against HB541, a “castle doctrine” or “stand your ground” bill, it would have no bearing on this case.

HB541 defined times when someone may use deadly force. It allows for deadly force for a home invasion, but there have been no allegations that ever happened in this case.

HB541 also removes the “duty to retreat” before using deadly force when in a place you are legally entitled to be. (i.e. not trespassing) But it does not remove the requirement that you must reasonably be in eminent danger of death or great bodily harm. According to news reports, that was not the case.

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