Got another one:
Source: Cincinnati Post
Published: 9, September, 1999
Author: Staff Reported
Store shootings reignite debate over handguns
Post staff report
When Avondale shopkeeper Eugene Clifford shot three thugs who threw his wife to the floor at gunpoint and tried to rob his store, he thrust himself directly into the national debate over handguns.
''What happened is exactly why crime goes down in areas where there is an armed citizenry,'' says Gun Owners of America executive director Larry Pratt. Counters David Bernstein of Handgun Control, ''The shop owner got lucky, because the chances of misusing a gun in that situation are very great.'' Clifford fatally shot one of the intruders and wounded two others. Neither he nor his wife were injured in the early morning incident.
Last month in Covington, Ky., an armed would-be mugger was shot and wounded by his intended victim who happened to be legally toting a concealed weapon. And, last year, a Taylor Mill, Ky., pawn shop clerk surprised a pair of armed robbers by grabbing a gun under the counter and shooting and wounding the duo. ''These are good examples of why citizens should have guns,'' says John Snyder of the Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms. ''The presence of a firearm is a deterrent to crime. ''People are tired of being victimized by criminals and tired of being victimized by politicians who say citizens shouldn't be able to defend themselves.''
Ohio is one of only seven states that doesn't permit citizens to carry concealed weapons. Kentucky began allowing concealed weapons three years ago and Covington Assistant Police Chief Bill Dorsey admits he's been surprised by the lack of problems. ''I thought we would have increased incidents of people using weapons and we haven't seen that,'' he concedes. ''To that end, I think it speaks highly of those (more than 50,000 Kentuckians) who have the license.
''Still, my overall feeling remains that the concealed weapons law has put more guns in our society, and unfortunately some of those guns could fall into the wrong hands.''
As for whether shopkeepers should be shooting robbers, Dorsey says it depends on the circumstances. ''If the shopkeeper feels the robber is of the mind to kill him, then defending himself might be the wisest thing,'' he said. ''But, in cases where the robber shows no intent to injure, I don't know that using capital force to keep him from taking 20 bucks out of the register is warranted.''
Terrace Park Police Chief Bob Bacon says firearms training should be mandatory for everyone with a gun, especially shopkeepers. ''Shopkeepers should be required to go through very intensive training,'' he said. ''Training has to go along with the right to bear that arm.''
Bernstein, of Handgun Control, figures the Avondale shopkeeper who shot the robbers is fortunate to have survived. ''It could have turned out very differently for him,'' said Bernstein. ''Sometimes it's better to give some money away than to give your life away.
''It all depends on the circumstances, but more often than not, it's better to play it safe than sorry.''
Pratt, of the Gun Owners of America, says law-abiding citizens should be permitted to counter gun-toting criminals. ''Since the police can't be everywhere, armed citizens fill a void,'' contends Pratt. |
