John Downs: Ohio Gun Store Owner Refuses To Sell Rifle, Is Credited With Stopping Mass Shooting

Logan, Ohio gun store owner John Downs has been credited with stopping an Ohio University mass shooting after refusing to sell James Howard a gun. The Downs Bait and Guns store is located in Hocking County, a rural region of southeastern Ohio.

John Downs ran the required background check on James Howard when he walked into his Hocking Hills gun store to purchase a rifle. Although Howard passed the criminal history check, Downs said he got a “bad feeling” about the sale and used his discretion to refuse the purchase.

“I just said, you know what, bud, I have a really bad feeling about this. I just can’t sell you the gun,” Downs said instead of handing over the rifle to the former Ohio University student — and member of the college hockey team.

Ohio University is located about 30 miles away in Athens County. As previously reported by the Inquisitr, the Hocking Unit of the Southern Ohio Correctional Center, where a murderer escaped earlier this week, is located in the small town of Nelsonville, also in Athens County.

James Howard reportedly left the Logan gun store angry that he could not buy the rifle and ammunition. Later the same day, the former Ohio University student athlete returned to Downs Bait and Gun shop. John Downs told the customers inside to take cover and hide in a back room, loaded three of his guns, and then called 911.

“We loaded three guns up, and hopefully he didn’t try to come through the door, thank you Lord,” Downs said to News Channel 3 reporters.

Ohio store owner refuses to sell gun to man who passed background check, possibly thwarting mass shooting attempt https://t.co/xiJtYOskir

— KTLA (@KTLA) March 28, 2016

Howard was ultimately arrested a short time later at the Hocking County Walmart store, which is located just a few miles away from Downs’ gun store. The college student was in the midst of purchasing “survival gear” and ammunition from the store, KTLA 5 News reports.

“You know everybody wants more background checks, that is not what we really need to do, we need to enforce the law we already have on,” Downs Bait and Guns shop employee, Charlie Hopkins, said.

Ohio University was drafting a campuswide warning alert when James Howard was arrested. He was arrested on burglary, aggravated burglary, tampering with records, having weapons while under the influence, assault, and having weapons while under disability charges. He is currently being held at the Southeast Ohio Regional Jail (SEORJ) in Nelsonville. Howard is slated to appear in court on April 6. Howard is a native of Canfield, Ohio, the Logan Daily News reports.

“From what I know of the circumstances, I believe he did prevent a mass shooting that was probably going to occur at (Ohio University) in Athens,” Hocking County Sheriff Lanny North told the media. “He had an enormous amount of ammunition he was going to purchase, shotgun shells and 22-caliber rifle ammunition.”

Downs Bait and Guns has been in operation in for more than 3o years. The long-standing small business also sells knives and is known for its quality gun repair services throughout the Tri-county area.

The Hocking County Sheriff, among many others, has credited John Downs with helping to prevent a mass shooting at Ohio University. Customers and community members have praised and thanked the Logan gun store owner for following his intuition, fast thinking, and bravery.

What do you think about the actions of Downs Bait and Guns store owner John Downs?

Author’s Note – The writer is from the area where the story took place, used her knowledge about the region and discussions with residents to help comprise the news report. Although she does not know Downs personally, she has been a customer at his store.

[Image by Shutterstock.com]