By Dean Rieck

The FBI has released data showing that violent crime is on the rise. There’s also a growing trend of teenagers shooting their victims. From a recent article in USA Today:

Violent crime continued to increase in the first six months of this year, highlighted by a growing trend of teenagers shooting robbery victims even if they surrender their valuables.

...“Crime is coming back, and it has a new and troubling element," said Los Angeles Police Chief William Bratton. That is "a youthful population that is largely disassociated from the mainstream of America.”

...Robbers, especially juveniles, are more likely than ever to shoot victims, even when they do not resist. "There's almost a different code on the street, that it's not a robbery unless you shoot somebody," said Thomas Streicher, police chief in Cincinnati.

The article points out that a lot of the crime and shootings involve members of minorities attacking other members of their minority, in other words, gang-on-gang violence.

However, what this report shows is what many people have known all along: the sort of people who commit robbery and assault are not simply poor people trying to make ends meet. And you’re not safe just because you offer up your wallet and act passively. This sort of criminal is a violent sociopath with no sympathy or common sense. He will rob you, then beat you, stab you, or even shoot you just for the fun of it.

Click on 'Read More' for the entire commentary.

By Linda Walker

Ohio's Attorney General Jim Petro announced the 2nd quarter statistics today for concealed handgun licenses issued during this past quarter. Ohio continues to gain at a steady pace new licensees, adding 5489 CHL's and 15 emergency licenses to the ranks.

The latest numbers confirm what pro-gun groups claimed before the law went into effect – that concealed carry works, and that concealed carry license holders (CHL’s) are among the most law-abiding groups in our society.

There still have been no “wild west shootouts” or “blood in the streets” caused by out of control license holders or “shootouts at fender-benders” or any of the other mayhem predicted by the anti-gunners. They even (incorrectly) argued that pro-gun groups didn’t want this data released. The truth is we love the data because it provides more proof that we are right.

Clermont County continues its trend of issuing more license than any other county issuing 339 in the second quarter while revoking only one. Every county issued licenses and nineteen (19) counties issued over 100 licenses in the quarter - or more than one per day, including weekends and holidays. On average, counties issued over 62 licenses, or more than one every working day during the quarter.