Nine people were injured in a terrifying incident in Cleveland, Ohio, last weekend. In the aftermath, as investigators attempted to put together what happened, Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb leveled the accusation that the state’s constitutional carry law was directly responsible for the mayhem.
Bibb laid blame squarely on Senate Bill 215, which went into effect last summer. This granted Ohio residents 21 years and older the right to concealed carry without asking for the state’s permission.
In a heated rush to judgment, Bibb declared that “from Cleveland to Columbus to Cincinnati we’ve seen an uptick in shootings across our state.”
Only partially correct.
Fatal shootings are up in Cleveland and Columbus, but they are down in Cincinnati. They are also trending lower in Toledo and Akron, making Bibb’s statement shaky at best. And then a closer examination rips the mayor’s argument to shreds.
The suspect in the incident is 25-year-old Jaylon Jennings, who was arrested in Lorain on Tuesday. He was about 30 miles from the scene of the shooting.
Apparently, the alleged shooter could not have a weapon legally to begin with, so the constitutional carry argument in no way applies. Further, if blame is to be assigned, pin it on the revolving door legal system that allowed him back out on the streets after two previous arrests this year alone.
Jennings was criminally convicted several times for drug trafficking and possession prior to last weekend’s shooting spree. He also has cases pending in Lorain for possession of a controlled substance, driving with a suspended license, domestic violence, unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, and unlawful restraint.
Records indicate that he failed to show up for court at least 12 times in recent years.
So yes, Mr. Mayor, there is plenty of blame to spread around if you choose. Only, none of it is due to the Second Amendment and constitutional carry. Be angry, but direct that anger at the system that clearly let the suspect off the hook far too many times.
