| Tragic Shooting Has Family Fighting For Reform |
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| Written by Mike Kinsey | |
| Sunday, 08 October 2006 | |
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On October 6, 2005, Jim Siburt of Adena, OH was shot three times while on a routine repossession job for Rent-A-Center. Mr. Siburt and a co-worker made the short drive to Triadelphia, WV for their pre-arranged appointment with a deadbeat customer. They were given access to the home and went about their work. Just before loading the last piece of furniture, Charlie Brown, 35, suddenly confronted them and shot Mr. Siburt once in the stomach and twice in the shoulder with a .45 caliber handgun. Luckily, Mr. Siburt survived the encounter and the shooter was apprehended after law enforcement officers surrounded his car at a nearby gas station. There are several aspects of this story that are particularly disturbing. As is often the case with illegal shootings, this was not the first legal transgression for the shooter. He had previously served four years in prison. Are you, Concerned Reader, now imagining a crime suitable for a four-year sentence? Grand Theft Auto? Drug Possession? Those answers would seem plausible… but are in fact incorrect. The shooter was convicted and served that sentence for shooting someone else. Was that an appropriate amount of time for Mr. Brown’s “rehabilitation”? It obviously was not. Every Ohioan needs to speak to prosecutors and Judges and pressure them to seek maximum sentences for violent criminals. Also, Rent-A-Center has had a long-standing “No Weapons” policy that prohibits trained and licensed employees from carrying a handgun for self-defense. This incident has done nothing to change that policy. Every Ohioan needs to confidently, but politely, speak to businesses that disarm their employees. Those employers need to be informed that Concealed Handgun Licensees are the most law-abiding people that can enter a place of business and stripping away their ability to defend themselves results in the exact opposite of their intention to “provide a safe workplace”. Finally, as Mr. Siburt works in southeastern Ohio and this incident took place in West Virginia, an Ohio Concealed Handgun License does nothing to prevent similar tragedies from occurring again. Each Ohioan needs to speak to their Attorney General to emphasize the importance of actively pursuing reciprocity agreements with other “right-to-carry” states so that we can bring our innate right of self defense to their area while also bringing our corporate and tourism dollars. This is especially important to remember as you visit the ballot box in November to vote for the officials in charge of these activities. The year that followed this tragic shooting has resulted in improvements to the perception and implementation of Ohio’s Concealed Carry laws thanks to the tireless efforts of Mr. Siburt’s family and other concerned citizens. Jeff Siburt contacted OFCC with the story of his cousin’s tragic encounter and remarkable recovery along with several other news outlets and dozens of legislators. We need to follow in their footsteps and make our voices heard so that necessary reform can take place in Ohio. |