Pro-gun State Representative Seth Morgan (R-36), a certified public accountant from Huber Heights, has announced his candidacy for the Republican nomination for Auditor of State.

The seat is being vacated by Mary Taylor, who decided not to seek reelection after receiving an invitation to be presumptive GOP gubernatorial nominee John Kasich's running mate.

Morgan received an endorsement from Buckeye Firearms Association in his successful 2008 race for State Representative.

Since that time, he has exhibited his strong support for the Second Amendment and Ohio gun owners by introducing House Bill 315, which seeks to "provide that ammunition, firearms, and firearm accessories that are manufactured and remain in Ohio are not subject to federal laws and regulations derived under Congress' authority to regulate interstate commerce and to require the words "Made in Ohio" be stamped on a central metallic part of any firearm manufactured and sold in Ohio."

Morgan is also a co-sponsor of HB129, an "Alaska-style" concealed carry reform bill.

House Bill 158, which seeks to add instructors who are certified to teach courses that meet the requirements of Ohio's concealed handgun license (CHL) law to the list of persons who are exempted from paying a fee to obtain a CHL, has been added to the House Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security agenda for proponent testimony, Tuesday, January 26 at 3:00pm in Statehouse Hearing Room 122.

The purpose for Tuesday's hearing is so that the committee may hear testimony on HB158 from the legislation's supporters.

The bill has been co-sponsored by Reps. John Adams (R), Dan Dodd (D), Lorraine Fende (D), Tom Letson (D), Dennis Murray (D), and Mark Okey (D).

For more information on HB158, see: Rep. John Domenick introduces HB158, seeks to waive CHL fees for certified instructors.

For a complete list of legislation which we are tracking in the 128th General Assembly, visit the Buckeye Firearms Association Legislation Guide.

By Chad D. Baus

For the many pro-gun voters who were lured away from the Ohio GOP in 2006 after years of frustration with anti-gun Republicans like Bob Taft, George Voinovich and Mike DeWine, pro-gun Democrat Ted Strickland's choice of another anti-gun running mate is sure to be met with displeasure.

Immediately following the announcement of Strickland's decision on Tuesday, Yvette McGee Brown, a former Franklin County juvenile court judge, made it clear to reporters that she does not agree with Governor Strickland's stance on the Second Amendment.