A statewide gun-rights organization has taken up the cause of a former Toledo man accused of a felony firearms crime after having successfully pleaded self-defense in a murder case three years ago.

After a Lucas County sheriff’s deputy pulled him over for improper license plates June 22 in Springfield Township, Vontae Garrett, 29, of Anderson, Ind., admitted to having a loaded pistol under his seat in the car and was charged with improperly handling firearms in a motor vehicle.

But State Rep. Joshua Williams (R., Sylvania), who is Mr. Garrett’s defense attorney, said the law is being misapplied because merely having a gun available inside a car is legal for anyone who may legally carry, which in Ohio is anyone 21 or older who is not otherwise disqualified to possess a firearm.

Furthermo

See Full Page