Thanks in large part to having run so many pro-gun candidates in key districts, Democrats will hold a slim majority next year in the Ohio House.

The House Democratic caucus has chosen Rep. Armond Budish (D-08) as the next House speaker. He will replace Republican Jon Husted when the 128th General Assembly is formed in January.

It is an encouraging sign that, despite a change in party leadership, a majority of House leadership positions in the chamber will continue to be held by Buckeye Firearms Association endorsees.

First case in Ohio involving new restitution value for white-tailed deer

Chillicothe, OH - Two men convicted of the illegal taking of white-tailed deer have been ordered to pay restitution of $12,988 according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife.

The Honorable Judge Thomas E. Bunch presided and assistant law director Michele Route prosecuted today over the first case in the State involving white-tailed deer restitution under Ohio's revised restitution law. The law went into effect March 2008 and allows the Ohio Division of Wildlife to seek an increased recovery value on all illegally harvested wildlife.

Cory A. Posey, 19, of South Salem has pled guilty to charges of taking a deer with a rifle, deterring an officer, taking a deer after hours, and taking more than one buck in a license year. Posey will pay $100 in fines, additional court costs, and $6,494 in restitution. He will serve 200 hours of community service, five years of community control and hunting privileges suspended for five years.

Kyle E. Kruger, 20, of Washington Court House has pled guilty to charges of spotlighting, deterring an officer, and aiding an individual in the unlawful taking of a wild animal. Kruger will pay $100 in fines, additional court costs, and $6,494 in restitution. He will serve 200 hours of community service, five years of community control and hunting privileges suspended for five years.

Ohio Upland Habitat Initiative and new CRP SAFE practice target specific focus area

Ohio Pheasants Forever (PF) and Quail Forever (QF) announce a new voluntary conservation program for landowners in Henry and Fulton Counties. The Ohio Upland Habitat Initiative (OUHI) offers landowners cost share dollars for landowners who wish to establish or maintain high quality habitat for pheasants, quail and host of other species of wildlife.

Interested landowners within the focus area will have their choice of signing up for distinct practices that specifically address the limiting factors for pheasant and quail habitat in Ohio. Funds are to be distributed to landowners on a first come, first serve basis. There is a $2,000 per landowner per year limitation.

The Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Wildlife has announced that it will be holding a ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate the development of the Mobility Impaired Hunting Access Area at Lake La Su An Wildlife Area on Friday, November 21.

The event will begin at 10 AM at this state wildlife area near Montpelier in Williams County. The ceremony will take place off of County Road S, approximately 1 and 3/4 miles east of SR 49. The public is invited to attend.

This event comes 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 more information, see:

• HB473: Aiding mobility-impaired hunters
• Mobility-Impaired Disabled Hunter Access
• BFA on hand as Gov. Ted Strickland signs bill expanding opportunities for mobility-impaired hunters

The Senate Judiciary on Criminal Justice Committee, chaired by Sen. Tim Grendell (R-18), will hear proponent 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, November 19 at 10:00 a.m. in the Senate Building's North Hearing Room.

The Ohio House of Representatives passed HB450 on May 22 with a strong bi-partisan 90-3 vote.

“This is important legislation,” said Buckeye Firearms Association Chairman Jim Irvine. “We are talking about men and women who volunteered to lay their life on the line for their country and their fellow man. We trust them with the full might of the U.S. military. Surely we can trust them with a handgun when they return home from duty.”

On October 30, Buckeye Firearms Association was pleased to report that the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) had ordered all NO GUNS signs at state rest stops to be removed.

Buckeye Firearms Association has just received word that Chief Legal Counsel Cathy Cola Perkins has confirmed that "the signs will be coming down in the visitor centers as well."

By Jim Irvine

State law requires all political action committees to file regular reports on where their money comes from and how it is spent. This information becomes public record and is available to you online. Buckeye Firearms Associations has a full disclosure policy on our finances. We want you to know how frugal and careful we are with your donations.

In keeping with our commitment to keep you informed of how we invest your money, I'd like to provide some analysis of our 2008 pre-general campaign finance report.

This report was far and away the biggest report we have ever filed. That is a testament to you, our supporters. Many people believe in our mission – defending and advancing the right of Ohio citizens to own and use firearms for all legal activities, electing pro-gun candidates and lobbying for pro-gun legislation – and more and more people also believe in the leaders of Buckeye Firearms Association and our ability to fulfill that mission.

You have voted with your dollars, and we are grateful.

Buckeye Firearms Association has just received word from the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) that the NO GUNS signs at state rest stops have been ordered removed. In the telephone call to Buckeye Firearms Association Leader and NRA Election Volunteer Coordinator Rick Jones, ODOT stated that their legal department has confirmed with multiple state departments that the signs are to be removed.

This action is in response to passage and implementation of Senate Bill 184, which included several major fixes to Ohio's concealed handgun licensure law, including a change designed to allow patrons of rest stops to use the facilities without having to disarm.

The law took effect September 3, but concealed handgun licensees (CHL’s) continued to report seeing the problematic signs at highway rest stops.

Everyone knows about the great traditions and family values that make hunting and fishing special, but fewer people realize the tremendous conservation and economic benefits provided by America’s sportsmen and women.

Are you aware of the benefits to your state? Take a closer look at a force as big as all outdoors.

Please join our nationwide celebration of National Hunting and Fishing Day and help us build public support for outdoor lifestyles.

On September 18, 2008 the Ohio Supreme Court ruled that R.C. 9.68 is valid, and that municipalities may not infringe on the broad statutory and constitutional right to carry firearms. Within a few days, this opinion saw application in courtrooms around the state.

Readers of this website are familiar with the story of Damon Wells, the young man in Cleveland who shot at thugs in self-defense last year, killing one. Subsequently, his house was vandalized by people mourning the thugs and his life has generally been turned upside down. Regina Brett with the Cleveland Plain Dealer did a nice series on the incident and the aftermath.

Unfortunately, the City of Cleveland is among those determined to make Damon’s life a continuing series of aggravations. After the thugs’ trial, Damon had to fight with Cleveland to obtain return of his gun. It was only through volunteer efforts of Buckeye Firearms Association that the Court eventually ordered Cleveland to return Damon’s gun. To add further insult to injury, the City of Cleveland recently charged Damon with possession of an unregistered handgun as a result of a traffic stop on a car in which he was a passenger.

You aren’t misreading. Damon, who has a CHL and who the Court ordered Cleveland to return a gun to, has been charged with possession of an unregistered handgun under Cleveland’s ordinances.