Buckeye Firearms Association endorsees have been elected by Republicans and Democrats to a majority of leadership positions in their respective caucuses for the 128th General Assembly.

By Jim Irvine

The Columbus Dispatch editorial "Kowtow to the NRA – Sheriffs got a raw deal when lawmakers backed down on concealed carry fee" demonstrates that the Dispatch editors are still more interested in spreading lies to prop up their failed ideas rather than accepting the truth and reporting the news.

It is important to note that the Dispatch has been contacted many times by Buckeye Firearms Association leaders about gun-related stories full of errors, omissions, or lies. That they continue to write stories that are factually inaccurate proves they are intentionally attempting to mislead their readers about firearms and the legislative process.

By Larry S. Moore

The Columbus Dispatch reported recently that the defeat of HB446, the so-called "puppy mill" bill that sought to increase fees and impose new regulations on dog breeders and kennel owners, had ruffled some feathers in the Statehouse.

Although the Dispatch acknowledges that the U.S. Sportsman's Alliance had been long-engaged in the debate, reporter Jim Siegel editorializes in his news article that Sen. Gary Cates and bill sponsor Rep. Shawn Webster were "blindsided" when another gun and hunters' rights group voiced opposition.

"This is not a gun issue, per se. I could not have foreseen last-minute involvement by the NRA in this," Cates said. "I would have been just as surprised if the Chamber of Commerce had weighed in."

Hohenwarter said he was contacted by at least one senator, and by an Ohio-based gun-advocacy group. He also talked to Connie Nolder, a friend and lobbyist for the National Pet Breeders Alliance.

"The breeders and their lobbyist brought the NRA to the table as an attempt to kill the bill," Cates said. "I guess they felt that was the only way they could stop this thing was to pull in some heavyweights."

Recently, I wrote Senator Cates to express my deep concerns regarding his comments. I have decided to share my letter as a means of answering questions for anyone else who may wonder why Buckeye Firearms Association , the USSA and yes, the NRA, had a duck in this hunt.

Two Bills Harming Sporting Dog Breeders Stopped

As 2008 drew to a close, the USSA added to its victories with two wins in Ohio. Two bills that represented threats to sporting dog breeders were stopped cold due to an intense lobbying and grassroots effort by the USSA.

BFA volunteer Bob Harsanje (seated on right) joins
(from left) the ODNR's David Graham & Philip King,
Rep. Peter Ujvagi and others in the ribbon cutting

Buckeye Firearms Assocation volunteer Bob Harsanje and Vice Chairman Chad Baus were on hand recently as the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Wildlife held a ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate the development of the Mobility Impaired Hunting Access Area at Lake La Su An Wildlife Area near Montpelier in Williams County.

Remarks were given by ODNR Director Sean Logan, Rep. Peter Ujvagi (D), ODNR Federal Aide Coordinator Philip King, and ODNR, Division of Wildlife Chief David Graham. ODNR, Division of Wildlife District Manager John Daugherty served as Master of Ceremonies, and the Pledge of Allegiance and Invocation was offered by ODNR, Division of Wildlife Officer Thomas Kochert.

Skip Markland, Regional Director of the National Wildlife Turkey Federation, and representatives from Pheasants Forever, Williams County Chapter and were also among those in attendance.

This event came as a result of passage of Senate Bill 209, which addressed issues that Buckeye Firearms Association volunteer Bob Harsanje and Region Leader Larry S. Moore had been working on together for some time.

Buckeye Firearms Association leaders were on hand today as the Senate's Judiciary Committee on Criminal Justice passed Rep. Bruce Goodwin's House Bill 450, legislation that would restore gun rights to members of the armed services or the Ohio National Guard who are between the ages of 18 and 21, by a 7-2 vote.

Sens. Nina Turner and Shirley Smith voted against the restoration of gun rights to members of Ohio's and our nation's armed services.

Several last minute amendments were adopted by the committee, which are being analyzed by Buckeye Firearms Association to determine how they might effect gun owners.

Today may be the final day of session in the Ohio Senate. Will HB450, which passed the House by a 90-3 margin, be given a floor vote in the Senate?

KEEP CALLING (and encouraging your friends and family to do the same)

The Senate Judiciary on Criminal Justice Committee, chaired by Sen. Tim Grendell (R-18), will hear proponent, opponent and interested party testimony on Rep. Bruce Goodwin's HB450, legislation that would restore gun rights to members of the armed services or the Ohio National Guard who are between the ages of 18 and 21, on Wednesday, December 17 at 10:00 a.m. in the Senate Building's North Hearing Room.

The Chairman has once again indicated that a substitute bill may be offered, and that the bill may receive a vote out of committee.

KEEP CALLING

(and please encourage your friends and family to do the same)

COLUMBUS POLICE SPOKESPERSON: ARMING OUR SERVICEMEN AND WOMEN AKIN TO ARMING "GANGBANGERS"

In opposition testimony on December 11, Columbus Police Sgt. and legislative liaison Mike Weinman suggested that HB450 would "give cart blanc to gangbangers who will threaten police officer safety."

Representatives from Buckeye Firearms Association and the Ohio Rifle and Pistol Association offered proponent testimony Wednesday on Rep. Bruce Goodwin's House Bill 450, legislation that would restore gun rights to members of the armed services or the Ohio National Guard who are between the ages of 18 and 21.

For the second week in a row, however, indications from the committee chair that a vote would be taken did not come to fruition, in either the third hearing on Wednesday or a fourth one on Thursday.

While two amendments were offered and passed in Thursday's meeting (details coming soon), public comments from Chairman Tim Grendell (R-18) have made it apparent that none of the various amendments proponents including Buckeye Firearms Association and the Ohio Rifle and Pistol Association have been backing would be offered to this bill. (For background on the amendments we have been calling for, click here.)

Time is growing very short, and your help is needed RIGHT NOW to ensure that this bill, which passed the Ohio House nearly seven months ago with an overwhelming 90-3 vote, does not die at the close of the 127th General Assembly!

In what has become an all too familiar story each lame duck session, it is once again necessary to ask Ohio gun owners to call their state Senators and encourage their support for a pro-gun bill that will otherwise die at the end of the legislative session on December 31, 2008.

Time is running out for Rep. Bruce Goodwin's House Bill 450, which passed the Ohio House more than six months ago with an overwhelming 90-3 vote, and your help is needed TODAY!