Tale of Two Cities: Columbus jeweler shot, paralyzed; Philly robber dead

James Antonio McAfee, 26, admits that he had held up Amnon Gerberg, owner of the Diamond Connection, as Gerberg was outside his store at 3354 E. Broad St.

Gerberg, 45, was trying to shield himself with a briefcase containing $400,000 worth of jewels when McAfee shot him twice, damaging his spine and a lung, prosecutors said.

Yesterday, U.S. District Judge George C. Smith sentenced McAfee to 12 1/2 years for robbery and 10 years for using a firearm.

Authorities have said McAfee is part of a ring that robbed as many as 40 jewelry stores.

However, the U.S. attorney's office has not decided whether to prosecute him further.

Meanwhile, in a state that allows its law-abiding citizens to carry a concealed handgun for self-defense, a different outcome resulted when this Pennsylvania jeweler was confronted by an armed robber in his store:

Click on the Read More..." link below for the full story.

The Bulletin, Philadelphia, PA

A man and woman entered a Blackwood, N.J., jewelry store and asked to see some gold rings. When owner Anthony Travia set a ring tray on the counter, the man pulled a handgun and demanded all the jewelry. Travia whipped out his own revolver and in an exchange of gunfire killed the gunman. The accomplice was held at bay until police arrived.

• Could the lifting of Ohio's unconstitutional ban on carrying a concealed weapon for self-defense have saved this Troy robbery victim?

Contact information for the area's elected officials is provided below:

State House of Representatives
• >Rep. Jim McGregor (R-20)
Phone: (614) 644-6002
Fax: (614) 644-9494

State Senate
• >Sen. David Goodman (R-3) - voted against Sub. HB274
Phone: (614) 466-8064

Click here to read the entire story in the Columbus Dispatch (subscription site - paid access only).