Ohio continues to make headlines, and not in good ways. We reported yesterday on the shooting death of a 20-year-old Ohio State University student who was a concealed carry on campus advocate. Today we’re telling you about a concealed carry weapons instructor in Batavia, Ohio, who was sentenced to five days in jail and five years of probation for a fatal shooting.
Mark Montgomery, the instructor, was involved in a fatal shooting at a gun shop last summer. He pleaded guilty to negligent homicide when he shot and killed a man during a concealed carry permit class. Montgomery was the instructor when the death of 64-year-old James Baker, owner of KayJay Gun Shop in Monroe Township occurred during class. Baker was shot and killed when another student discharged a live round from a handgun during a drill.
Montgomery’s daughter, Katie Dunham, was spared a negligent homicide charger when Montgomery pleaded guilty and took the responsibility. Mark Montgomery was ordered also to complete 120 hours of community service. He will never again be permitted to participate as an instructor in a concealed carry class.
We don’t know what Mark Montgomery’s record was but we know that you don’t get to be an instructor without showing a significant level of gun handling knowledge and ability. Something clearly went wrong here and he’s paying for it. This, and the other incident we reported on yesterday, shows that even people who are armed, skilled and prepared can have unexpected things happen. Don’t ever let your guard down folks.
