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[fisher]

Nobody said they didn't break the law. My quarrel is whether there should BE such a law. Free people have an inherent right to self defense. They were free.

I feel the same way. As the law stands now, convicted felons are let out early if they pinky swear to not have a gun when they get out. Does anyone believe this is working or is a valid strategy for maintaining general order in society? Does a felon become an entity which no longer has as much a right to exist than his neighbor? At the very least, there should be a rapid path back to being able to defend one's self.

If a person can't be trusted with the tools of our society, that person should not be in our society.

[willbird]

Nobody said they didn't break the law. My quarrel is whether there should BE such a law. Free people have an inherent right to self defense. They were free.

I feel the same way. As the law stands now, convicted felons are let out early if they pinky swear to not have a gun when they get out. Does anyone believe this is working or is a valid strategy for maintaining general order in society? Does a felon become an entity which no longer has as much a right to exist than his neighbor? At the very least, there should be a rapid path back to being able to defend one's self.

If a person can't be trusted with the tools of our society, that person should not be in our society.

Well a decent portion of felons are NOT first time felons, and they committed quite a few before they "caught a case" that stuck....and the only rapid path many of them are on is on their way back to jail for another felony.

[Jag1813]

During sentencing, the Judge, John Bender, said the following: "If I had my way, handguns would be illegal for everyone in this society except police officers. ... It destroys society'"

How much you wanna bet that this jack-wagon carries? "Handguns should be illegal for everyone except police officers...and me!"

[dynamike]

Wanna call Judge Bender's chambers and voice your opinion to an elected judge? His chamber's info is at http://www.fccourts.org/gen/WebFront.ns ... 23A59?Open

He is running for re-election this November (http://vote.franklincountyohio.gov/asse ... e-List.pdf).

If I'm reading this right is he running unopposed?

I think so, but I am double checking .

[GatorNavy]

On general principle, I don't like the firearm prohibition for non-violent people who had done their time. If they have served, they should be restored to the full benefits of being free people. Otherwise they become second class.

These guys were apparently punished, and like it or not, should have the benefits of being free.

Violent crimes are another story.

Ma'am I agree 100%

[Glock Rock]

The other issue is why one would go socialize in a place where the need to go armed is apparent. I struggle to understand that part of society.

I guess I view it as freedom. If someone wants to go into the worst parts of some inner city for some delicious food from some mom and pop vendor, they should have the freedom to do so while taking precautions for their self defense.

Inner city Cleveland has some FANTASTIC barbecue places.

[JediSkipdogg]

The other issue is why one would go socialize in a place where the need to go armed is apparent. I struggle to understand that part of society.

I guess I view it as freedom. If someone wants to go into the worst parts of some inner city for some delicious food from some mom and pop vendor, they should have the freedom to do so while taking precautions for their self defense.

Inner city Cleveland has some FANTASTIC barbecue places.

The quote from dsk is my dad's level of thinking and even some that I work with (police officers.) They ask me why I need to be armed at all times. I then rebut and ask why wasn't the SWAT team at Columbine High School on April 20, 1999? If you know 100% sure you are going somewhere that you need a gun, DON'T GO THERE. Since I don't know anywhere that I am 100% sure, I take all places as 51% sure and go with the benefit of the doubt. If I need it, I have it on me. If I don't have it, I don't go there (very rarely.)

[baz]

During sentencing, the Judge, John Bender, said the following: "If I had my way, handguns would be illegal for everyone in this society except police officers. ... It destroys society'"

This judge is apparently incompetent and unaware the benefits of handguns. I hope to see him losing his place in the next election.

As for being a felon comments above: if a person is a felon, then IMHO there should not necessarily be a rapid recovery to getting back the right to own a weapon. They made a poor decision and must face that consequence. Yet, part of me believes it is there fundamental, constitutional right. Although, being a felon, you have somewhat forfeited your rights (rights guaranteed to the law-abiding, civil person). But, I do agree with

If a person can't be trusted with the tools of our society, that person should not be in our society.

[TS04]

I don't read this case as the men being sentenced for self defense. They received a sentence for weapons under disability, and for illegally carrying where guns are prohibited. People can seek relief from disability, but apparently they had not. Unfortunately felons often tend to return to a life of crime, and that is why our laws say they may not own guns. This is just one more example of the criminal types ignoring the rules for lawful carry.

[Tmade]

Since they had a previous drug conviction, as the story says, they should not have been carrying.

Now the other side of that particular coin is, if the state law that just got put in place that made several leo agencies layoff leos because of past drug convictions, yet they can expunge theirs and get their guns back, why can't someone who has turned their life around or might have just had a stupid choice when much younger?

The story says Happy Family Bar. Was this a restaurant/bar?
The stupid thing, this brings to mind, is that if our Ohio elected officials hadn't decided to wait to vote on the restaurant carry bill until after November they might have been charged at all despite their past, depends on the prosecutor.

The biggest shocker on this story is the judge's comments. The judge is an elected official and part of his oath is to protect the constitutional and rights of the people. The judge's comments clearly indicate his agenda and I would hope people in that county realize his anti constitution stance and vote his butt out!

[willbird]

The story says Happy Family Bar. Was this a restaurant/bar?
The stupid thing, this brings to mind, is that if our Ohio elected officials hadn't decided to wait to vote on the restaurant carry bill until after November they might have been charged at all despite their past, depends on the prosecutor.

Honestly I do not see a big difference either way, they did not have a CHL, so it was fairly equally illegal for them to carry where alky is served, or where it is not.

Bill

[Tmade]

Honestly I do not see a big difference either way, they did not have a CHL, so it was fairly equally illegal for them to carry where alky is served, or where it is not.

Bill

This is true, I guess my point on that one was more about our elected ones failure to pass popular legislation because they wanted to wait. If it had been a licensed chl holder, then there would have hopefully been a ton of outcry to the leaders to quit the politicial b.s. and pass the legislation.

[baz]

Nevertheless, there should be

a ton of outcry to the leaders to quit the political b.s. and pass the legislation.

What are they waiting for...just vote.

[Tmade]

What are they waiting for...just vote.

They are waiting for us to contact them and TELL them to vote. The idiots are playing political games with this legislation and need to be encouraged to pass it before the November election.

[baz]

What are they waiting for...just vote.

They are waiting for us to contact them and TELL them to vote. The idiots are playing political games with this legislation and need to be encouraged to pass it before the November election.

+1 Contact your senators!