Pro-Gun Punditry: Wednesday's Buckeye State Roundabout

By Chris Chumita

There are more stories pertaining to our gun rights in Ohio then we can possibly draw attention to with individual daily commentary. But they are worthy of mention.

What follows is our review of headlines from around the state though a pro-gun rights lens.
From an accidental discharge to an attack article on the NRA, these articles should be a part of your required reading!
Click on the "Read More..." link below for several days of headlines accompanied by short, concise pro-gun analysis.

11/6/06: Cleveland, Ohio: Garfield Hts. Officer Accidentally Shoots Friend In Leg

From the article:

According to police, the Garfield Heights officer stopped at a friend's house on the Cleveland side of the street. The men got into a conversation about weapons, at which time the officer unholstered his weapon and it accidentally discharged.

All gun owners should take a moment to review the basic rules of gun safety, because gun accidents are avoidable!

11/6/06: Toledo, Ohio: E. Toledo Family Dollar Robbed By Armed Man

From the article:

A man armed with a handgun robbed an East Toledo Family Dollar store of an undetermined amount of money Saturday before fleeing, police said.

The Buckeye Firearms Association is looking into this story to see if the East Toledo Family Dollar Store was a Criminal Protection zone (CPZ). As you know, a CPZ is a business that prevents law-abiding citizens from carrying concealed handguns for protection.

11/6/06: Canton, Ohio: School Employees Should Have Weapons To Repel Intruders

From the article:

The recent shootings in schools in Pennsylvania, Wisconsin and Colorado, and all the other school shootings over the past 10 years, demonstrate clearly just how badly "gun-free school zone" laws have failed to protect our children's lives at school.

Please take a moment to read this editorial about the dangers of gun-free schools. The editorial makes some excellent points, but it also discusses allowing school employees to use less-lethal weapons against armed intruders. While some defense is better than no defense, it is important for school employees to have the weapons available to use a deadly force, if it is necessary to save our children.

11/5/06: Columbus, Ohio: Rifle Drops 4,542 To 4,467 Decision To Akron

From the article:

The Ohio State rifle team lost 4,542 to 4,467 to Akron in a home meet Saturday. The Buckeye scarlet team shot 2,215 in smallbore and 2,252 in air rifle. Akron posted a 2,249 in smallbore rifle and 2,293 in air rifle.

Its great to see that some colleges actually have a rifle team. Hopefully, we will see the shooting sports become more common at the high school and college levels.

11/3/2006: Fayette County, Ohio: Murder Victim Had Obtained Protection Order

From the article:

Lori Bailey tried to get help to protect herself from her husband. Instead, sheriff's deputies found her shot to death inside a Fayette County barn Wednesday afternoon. Bailey was abducted by her husband as she dropped their sons, ages 3 and 9 months, off at the babysitter's house.

This is another example how a restraining order is just a piece of paper and does not offer any real protection. Tragedies such as this remind us that we are responsible for our own safety and must not solely rely on the police for protection. Also, it should be noted that her husband once served as an auxiliary deputy for the Fayette County Sheriff's Department.

11/3/06: National: Is NRA Grip On Congress Loosening?

From the article:

"I do, however, despise gun advocacy groups who preach fear over fact--gun bans-- to sway elections. Their standard tactic is sweeping incrementalism: "If they ban assault rifles today, they'll ban BB guns tomorrow."

I guess that nobody told the writer that there are already cities that ban BB guns. That proves that the NRA was right when they stated, "If they ban assault rifles today, they'll ban BB guns tomorrow."

The article is nothing but an attack piece on the NRA, and a fluff piece for gun-grabbing organizations such as the Sierra Club and the American Hunters and Shooters Association (AHSA). The AHSA's leadership is made up by a "Whos's Who" of gun-grabbers. You can learn more about the anti-gun AHSA here.