Tale of Two Cities: Toledo woman dies, Charlottesville man lives
John Franks remembered his daughter, Cathy McCune, as a good person who wouldn’t hurt anyone.
That’s why it’s so difficult for him to understand how someone could shoot and kill her and wound her husband, Richard, during an apparent robbery at their North Toledo auto parts business.
"She was a gift from God, and she’s with Him now," Mr. Franks said yesterday of his daughter, Toledo’s first homicide victim this year.
Mrs. McCune, 43, of 678 Rutledge Ct., Perrysburg, died from a single gunshot wound in the back of her head, according to preliminary autopsy results released by Dr. Cynthia Beisser, a Lucas County deputy coroner.
Mr. Franks said his daughter was trying to unlock the safe to give the suspect money when she was shot.
Meanwhile, in a nearby state that allows its law-abiding citizens to a carry concealed handgun for self-defense, a shockingly similar story had a much different ending for this concealed carry permit holder:
The Daily Progress, Charlottesville, VA
After a police dog failed to find a suspect hiding inside a burglarized Charlottesville, Virginia, auto parts store, owner Thomas Hathaway began cleaning the ransacked area. Walking into the storeroom, a startled Hathaway discovered the burglar still inside and pulled a gun on the intruder, ordering him to lie face down on the floor. Hathaway held him for police, who quickly returned to the scene.
• Could the lifting of Ohio's unconstitutional ban on carrying a concealed weapon for self-defense have saved Mrs. McCune's life, as Mr. Hathaway's life was protected in Virginia?
• Did Toledo's ban on the legal purchase or ownership of affordable handguns prevent this family from protecting themselves?
Contact information for the area's elected officials is provided below:
State House of Representatives
• Rep. Jeanine Perry (D-49) - voted "no" on amended HB274
Phone: (614) 466-1418
Fax: (614) 644-9494
State Senate
• Sen. Teresa Fedor (D-11) - consistent anti-CCW voter
Phone: (614) 466-5204
Toledo City Council:
• Clerk of Council Michael Beazley
Phone: (419) 245-1060
Fax: (419) 245-1072
Council tied 6-6 on the vote to renew the ban on affordable handgun purchases in Lucas County.
Toledo Mayor's Office:
• Mayor Jack Ford
Phone: (419) 245-1001
Fax: (419) 245-1001
Mayor Ford has announced his opposition to concealed carry reform in Ohio, and broke the tie in city council to uphold the ban on affordable handguns for Toledoans.
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