Over the weekend there was a shooting in Cleveland, Ohio; nine wounded, apparently — thank G-d — none killed.
Cleveland’s mayor blames lax gun laws in the state and nation.
In a news conference Sunday, Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb said the shooting “truly shows the massive gun problem we have, not just in Cleveland, not just in Ohio, but across this nation.”
And Bibb and CBS wants us to know just how lax Ohio’s laws are.
Bibb referenced an Ohio law passed last year that allows any “qualifying adult” to legally carry, possess or conceal a handgun without a license, background check or training requirements. Bibb said gun violence has increased statewide since the law took effect.
Let’s take that one at a time. Just what is a “qualifying adult”? According to Section 2923.111 | Concealed carry by a qualifying adult that would be:
(2) “Qualifying adult” means a person who is all of the following:
(a) Twenty-one years of age or older;
(b) Not legally prohibited from possessing or receiving a firearm under 18 U.S.C. 922(g)(1) to (9) or under section 2923.13 of the Revised Code or any other Revised Code provision;
(c) Satisfies all of the criteria listed in divisions (D)(1)(a) to (j), (m), (p), (q), and (s) of section 2923.125 of the Revised Code.
A somewhat more honest outlet notes that the alleged perp has a bit of a criminal record.
19 Investigates learned Jennings’ criminal record dates back to at least 2018.
[…]
Court records show lots of criminal convictions in Lorain County and Cuyahoga County including several instances of drug trafficking and drug possession.Jennings is currently facing charges in Lorain for possession of a controlled substance, driving with a suspended license, domestic violence, unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, and unlawful restraint.
So, multiple felony convictions, drug convictions, under indictment… And how is a 25 year old guy with that many adult convictions (and indictments including disqualifying domestic violence) still walking free at all?
This guy is not a “qualifying adult,” Bibb (and CBS). Maybe the problem isn’t one of guns, but of lax enforcement that allows violent criminals to walk free to be even more violent.
As for the insinuation that Cleveland’s violent crime problem is recent, and somehow caused by a law recognizing the right of honest people to carry… not so much. It’s a anecdotal, but I’ve been to Cleveland.
Back in the mid-90s, I had to go there to assist another tech with some radio work. It had to be done in the middle of the night, so as to cause a minimum of disruption to customers. Show of hands:
How many of you believe that we dragged a hand truck loaded down with thousands of dollars of gear through downtown Cleveland at midnight, unarmed? And screw company policy.
No, Cleveland’s crime problems are not recent. And they aren’t caused by the honest people.