By Linda Walker

After several weeks delay, Castle Doctrine (SB184) received it’s 4th opponent/proponent hearing in the Ohio Statehouse on Wednesday, before the Senate Judiciary Committee on Criminal Justice.

John Murphy, with the Ohio Prosecuting Attorneys Association, once again provided opponent testimony. Mr. Murphy explained that the main concern is civil action, in which the burden of proof is shifted to the State, instead of the “defendant” (victim). He also believes that “defendants” (victims) will be “hiding behind self defense when it is not legitimate”. He states “Castle Doctrine will be a gift to criminals”.

Mr. Murphy questioned “what if a 10 year old child enters your house uninvited”? Unfortunately, Mr. Murphy, along with his anti-gun “coalition of one” side kick Toby Hoover (Ohio Coalition Against Gun Violence), believe that law abiding citizens do not know the difference between right and wrong.

By Larry S. Moore

According to a Minneapolis Star-Tribune story, Dr. William Cornatzer, a Bismarck physician and hunter, alerted health officials after he conducted tests on venison using a CT scanner and found lead in 60 percent of 100 samples. The North Dakota Health Department confirmed the results on at least five samples of venison destined for food pantries and told food pantries in the state to throw out donated venison. Officials in Minnesota and Iowa followed with similar alerts, asking that venison in those states not be distributed.

This story is concerning, but the tone and purpose is a total outrage. Yes, as a hunter and someone who has donated venison to local food banks, I am outraged. There are so many ways this lead could have ended up throughout the meat. However, taking it to a national level is simply the anti-hunters (or anti-gunners since their behavior pattern is the same) using another unfortunate situation to attack hunting. This is another attempt at hysteria by animal rights groups who have not been able to ban lead or hunting in any other attempts and so are attacking this area.