The Ohio Supreme Court ruled on Thursday that firing a warning shot in lieu of shooting a person can be considered by courts as an act of self-defense. In today’s America, that’s a big deal.
In a split decision, the court ruled in favor of Tyler Wilson, who had been convicted by a lower court on charges of felonious assault with a firearm but not guilty of attempted murder. Four of the justices reversed the lower court rulings that found a claim of self-defense isn’t viable from a person who didn’t shoot to wound or kill.
The court held that Wilson’s shooting with a stated intent to “back [an aggressor] off” is protected by Ohio’s self-defense laws.
While the decision was a victory for gun rights, which is sure to incense the gun-grabbing left, Second Amendment supporters were surprised to learn that the decision was made by three liberal justices and one conservative justice.