Ohio man claims 'castle doctrine' in car gun case

CINCINNATI (AP) — Can a girlfriend’s car be a man’s castle? A Cincinnati area man wants an appeals court to agree that it is for purposes of self-defense.

Ohio’s “castle doctrine” law justifies defending yourself without retreating in your home or car. Twenty-nine-year-old Woodrow Edwards III was in his girlfriend’s car when a man he didn’t know lifted the door handle. Edwards lifted the .40-caliber handgun he has a permit to carry, and that led to an aggravated-menacing conviction. He was fined $100 and ordered to stay away from the other man.

Edwards’ attorney, Brad Fox, tells The Cincinnati Enquirer people should have castle-law protection in a friend’s car, or rental car, just like in their own family’s vehicles.

A state appeals court was considering the case today.