Intruders Beware!

Ohio Governor Ted Strickland signed what is being called “common sense legislation” into law today.

The governor called the measure ”common sense legislation” as he signed it Tuesday. When the new law takes effect in early September, it will be presumed that anyone who injures or kills an intruder in their home or car will have acted in self defense.

Republican state Senator Steve Buehrer sponsored the bill and says it will make Ohioans feel safer in their homes.

When Ohioans were first allowed to carry concealed weapons, I thought “Oh, goody! Now watch people shooting each other down on the street.” But that didn’t happen. In fact, according to the Toledo Blade in 2004 (when the law was passed) the violent crime rate increased only slightly, then began a steady decline in 2005 and 2006. And I’ve yet to see an Old West type shoot-out in my area (where gangs are few and hunters are many).

I am actually coming around to the thought that maybe violent crime is more deterred by what the potential may be carrying than any kind of punishment the offenders might face. A mugger now has no idea if that woman walking alone is carrying a big gun and will, most likely (barring desperation for a hit of their favorite drug), think twice before approaching her. However, there is a slight rise in home invasions.

In Carrollton, OH – a rural town in Northeast Ohio – a young mother was attacked in her own home and only survived the attack because her grandfather fought with the intruder and took his gun from him. Now, Jason Haught could very well be mentally unbalanced based on accounts of what happened, but this new law would have given the woman and her grandfather a decided advantage.

According to this article people are most vulnerable at home because they let their guard down when they think they’re safe. Increasingly they’re not so safe. Criminals are taking advantage of this and wrecking havoc. With this new law, potential victims will be able to defend their home and lives without risking going to prison for manslaughter. Considering the positive effect of the conceal carry law, I truly believe that this is also a better deterrent than potential jail time. The thought of being shot in the face while terrorizing someone is a lot scarier than a couple of years in the state pen.

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