Author: Buckeye Firearms Association

Holder testifies on “Fast and Furious”; Reiterates Obama administration’s support for renewing Clinton-era gun ban

Posted on by Buckeye Firearms Association

On Thursday, February 2, U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder testified before the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee regarding his role in the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives’ gun running operation known as “Fast and Furious.”

During the hearing, Holder continued to deny any foreknowledge of the botched operation. Representative Darrell Issa (R-Calif.), chairman of the House committee, led the charge in questioning Holder on his involvement and knowledge. When Issa asked Holder if he had been briefed on the wiretaps presented in this case, Holder responded, “These wiretaps are very voluminous, read well kinds of things. I have not read them.”

The U.S. Attorney General has an obligation to the American people to know what is going on under his watch, but throughout the hearing Holder continuously tried to distance himself from the activities of his staff.

Support for the Second Amendment among Americans continues to rise

Posted on by Buckeye Firearms Association

by Joe Eaton

A recently released Angus-Reid Public Opinion Poll show that “…most people in the United States agree on the meaning of the Second Amendment, and half endorse the ‘shall-issue’ prerogative to carry concealed weapons in public.”

This most recent poll (taken January 17 – January 18, 2012) show that support for legal firearm ownership continues to grow. Fully 85% of Americans believe that individuals have the right to keep and bear arms. This belief matches the United States Supreme Court finding in the D.C. vs. Heller case from 2008.

Also, now more than half of the United States are supporting concealed carry. “51% support the idea of allowing citizens to carry a concealed weapon…” This is an increase of 4% from one year ago. This number is sure to rise as the final states enact CCW laws and as national concealed carry continues to move in congress. This is certainly good news as it indicates that Americans have moved past most of the lies and distortions that the anti-gun rights groups have been spreading for decades. This is the direct result of gun rights supporters becoming more engaged and actively refuting the falsehoods of the anti-gun side.

The report does point out one area where we should continue to focus our efforts:

Buckeye Firearms Association announces 2012 Primary endorsements; VOTE TODAY! POLLS ARE OPEN!

Posted on by Buckeye Firearms Association

Buckeye Firearms Association (BFA) is proud to announce endorsements for a host of local, statewide and federal offices in the March 6, 2012 primaries.

As a political action committee, BFA has been issuing endorsements in every election season for the past ten years. Through a system of weighing candidate surveys, voting records (where applicable) and personal commitment to the cause, candidates are graded on the traditional A, B, C, D or F scale, in addition to being considered for an endorsement. This year candidates who receive an “A” grade based only on our questionnaire will be noted with an “Aq” grade. This replaces the “B*” score from prior elections.

“Every year gets tougher as more candidates want our endorsement,” said Jim Irvine, BFA Chairman. “Shooting is as popular as ever, and few candidates want to be labeled as ‘anti-gun’ or ‘anti-self-defense.’ Voters who value freedom can use our voter guide to help them decide which candidate best represents their views on this critical issue.”

Buckeye Firearms Association endorsements are focused primarily on state-level races. We also endorse in some local races. Buckeye Firearms Association does not endorse in all federal office elections. We may issue endorsements to candidates for federal office that we have endorsed in prior elections or a candidate we have worked with on Second Amendment issues. Buckeye Firearms Association also reserves the right to address any political race with such importance, we feel compelled to endorse.

The endorsement committee is currently focused on contested primary races, given that voters are given a choice in those races. Candidate surveys are still being received and scored, and more grades and endorsements can be expected in the coming days.

Click here to view BFA’s 2012 Primary grades and endorsements.

Guns Save Lives

Posted on by Buckeye Firearms Association

by Scott L. Bach

When an arsonist lights a match that burns a building, is the match at fault? Are match manufacturers responsible for the fire? Should laws be passed prohibiting you from having and using matches, or restricting which types you can have, and in what quantities?

The obvious answer to these questions is no. The same match that is misused by the arsonist lights the fireplace that warms us, and the stove that feeds us. The match has no mind of its own. It is not an evil invention. Its purpose is to ignite, nothing more. If it is misused, the solution is to punish the individual wrongdoer. Everyone else should be left alone.

The same is true of firearms.

Firearms are employed every day by police, military, and law-abiding private citizens to deter crime, participate in competitions, hunt, and in the gravest extreme, to save the life of a victim of murder, rape, or serious assault. Most often, the mere presence of a firearm is enough to stop criminal activity in its tracks.

To the woman whose clothes are about to be torn from her body by a knife-wielding rapist in a deserted parking lot, a handgun in the purse is a lifeline. It is a genuine equalizer that may mean the difference between her life and her death. It gives her a chance when she otherwise would have none.

Every police officer who has made an arrest or stopped a crime understands this principle. Every soldier who has known battle understands this as well. And every private citizen who has ever faced a violent criminal alone, and knows the feeling of an impending, untimely death at the hands of a merciless savage, understands the importance of being able to own and carry a firearm, whether or not he or she ever has to fire it.

Silent during Strickland years, Ohio State Highway Patrol inserts itself in concealed carry debate once again

Posted on by Buckeye Firearms Association

by Chad D. Baus

The Marietta Times is reporting that the Ohio State Highway Patrol (OSHP) is voicing concerns about HB422, legislation that seeks to repeal requirements that a concealed carry licensee inform an approaching law enforcement officer that the licensee is a licensee and is carrying a concealed handgun.

From the article:

House Bill 422, jointly sponsored by Reps. Ron Maag, R-Lebanon, and Andy Thompson, R-Marietta, would amend the current state code to remove a requirement that during a traffic stop drivers must notify police officers if they’re carrying a firearm.

“The patrol has concerns from a public safety viewpoint, not only for our officers, but also for motorists and their passengers,” said Lt. Anne Ralston, spokeswoman for the Ohio State Highway Patrol.

She said rules in the state law that govern licensing to carry concealed firearms have been through several changes over the years and HB 422 is the just latest proposal for a change.

“Currently when I have contact with a motorist who has a concealed carry permit, the motorist is required to say ‘I’m a concealed carry permit holder’ when I approach the vehicle,” Ralston said. “The patrol has a primary concern that repealing the requirement could impact officer and driver safety.”

She said representatives from the patrol would be making those concerns known to legislators in the next few weeks when hearings on HB 422 are expected to take place.

And so, after sitting on the sidelines for four years under Strickland, the OSHP once again supports restricting your firearm rights, as they so often did during the Taft years.

How to spot a concealed handgun

Posted on by Buckeye Firearms Association

how to spot a concealed handgunSelf-defense in modern society is about far more than carrying a gun, it's also about developing situational awareness. This means knowing where you are and what's going on around you at all times.

One vital element of situational awareness seldom taught in concealed carry classes is how to spot a concealed handgun. Just as you hope to have the element of surprise if you find yourself in a life-threatening situation, you want to avoid being surprised by an armed attacker.

Based on the experience of Robert T. Gallagher, former NYPD detective, Anti-Robbery Tactical Unit, this detailed illustration, titled Spotting a Hidden Handgun, explains some of the visual cues that reveal when someone is carrying a handgun.

You can also use this information to avoid providing others with the same visual cues which may alert them that you are carrying concealed.

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