by Chad D. Baus The Lima News is reporting that another training class for armed teachers is being made available as the effort to offer greater protection for school children continues to…
Memorial Scholarship Honors Wildlife Officer Larry A. Hart
EATON, Ohio—The Larry A. Hart Memorial Scholarship Committee is pleased to announce they are accepting applications for the Larry A. Hart Memorial Scholarship.
This scholarship is funded by the Ohio Wildlife Officers’ Lodge 143 of the Fraternal Order of Police and Twin Valley Rod and Gun Club of Preble County.
Larry A. Hart was a thirty-year veteran of the Ohio Division of Wildlife. For most of his career, Larry served as a wildlife officer assigned to Preble County. Later, he worked as a Wildlife Officer/Field Supervisor in southwest Ohio. The legacy of integrity and commitment to Wildlife Management and Law Enforcement set by Officer Hart still serves as the gold standard today’s young officers strive to attain.
To receive the $500 scholarship, applicants must be Ohio residents who have or will graduate from an accredited high school, or, any person who is or will be enrolled in an accredited college, pursuing a career in the field of law enforcement or natural resources.
Interested applicants can obtain the scholarship application by contacting the Larry A. Hart Scholarship Committee, P.O. Box 1553, Middletown, Ohio 45042, or by sending an e-mail request to randyt@reagan.com. Please provide the name, address, and phone number of the applicant (include e-mail address if using USPS). The deadline for applications and recommendations is April 25, 2013.
For Further Information Contact:
Larry A. Hart Scholarship Committee
randyt@reagan.com
Progress in efforts to allow pistol cartridge rifles for deer hunting in Ohio
by Larry S. Moore
I attended the annual Division of Wildlife open house in District 5 and left my comments. I thought the room was more crowded than in past years. It was thinking perhaps driven by the number of proposed changes in the deer hunting regulations and seasons. I was certain these changes would grab the attention of hunters. Initial conversations and sportsmen forums indicated a diverse set of opinions on the changes.
I was surprised in several areas. My projections and anticipations were way off the mark. The attendance at District 5 was exactly the same as in 2012. Overall the statewide attendance was only up by about 20 visitors. This was disappointing news to me. Total visitors, at least the ones who bothered to sign-in, were 416. There were an additional 329 online comments regarding the deer regulations. This is truly an example of where the vocal minority has the greatest influence on our hunting regulations.
So now I began to get concerned that the numbers may not be good for the pistol cartridge rifle (PCR) survey. It’s been a long effort to get the Division to include the PCR survey at an open house. Would the numbers here be disappointing and possibly mean the end of the road for our efforts to bring at least some rifle hunting to Ohio?
Well, I got another surprise at the number of comments received and the numbers that went in our favor. The following breaks down the comments:
Sportsmen’s Activity Report: Ohio Benefits from Economic Impact of Hunting
NEWTOWN, Conn. — The National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) has released a major new report documenting the importance of hunting activities to the Ohio economy. NSSF is the trade association for the firearms, ammunition, hunting and shooting sports industry.
The report, Hunting in America: An Economic Force for Conservation, provides detailed information about participation and expenditures by America’s hunters. In Ohio alone, hunting added $1,404,942,870 to the state’s economy and supported 20,471 jobs.
Be Wary of Media Reports. We All Agree — Let’s Fix NICS
Be wary of a national news media in search of information they work hard to find that fits a pre-existing narrative. Ever since the tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary School, reporters have been trying to drive a wedge between organizations that speak up for the Second Amendment. They often find support for their efforts from anti-gun organizations and politicians. After all, conflict makes news.
As the trade association for the firearms and ammunition industry, the National Shooting Sports Foundation believes that the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) needs to be fixed to include more state criminal and mental health records. NSSF and its member companies believe that NICS plays a vital role in keeping firearms out of the hands of those who should not have them. The industry has long supported improvements to the NICS system.
An article is today’s Washington Post incorrectly implies that this position puts NSSF at odds with the National Rifle Association. There is no conflict.
Number of companies refusing to sell to government entities in anti-gun states continues to grow
by Jim Shepherd
The number of companies announcing a formal policy of not selling to law enforcement, individual officers, states or municipalities that have passed anti-gun ordinances or laws since the tragic December shooting in Connecticut is growing – daily- and there’s no sign that the trend toward “new laws mean no new products” is slowing. If anything, more companies are getting behind the idea that punishing law-abiding citizens for the acts of crazies isn’t acceptable conduct.
As of this writing, there hasn’t been a single government response to those notices, but sooner or later, someone in those governments will realize the trend is not going to reverse. If anything, the tone has gotten progressively more harsh toward politicians who believe passing a law will prevent tragedies from happening.
Colorado seems to be the battleground state at this point. Magpul Industries has led the anti-legislation fight, promising to move out of Colorado if four anti-gun bills are passed and signed into law by Governor John Hickenlooper. Magpul’s major suppliers have also promised to join the relocation, but the governor seems intent on passing the measures, regardless of the outcome.
In the interim, however, Magpul has decided to work to get their magazines into the hands of as many Colorado residents as possible. The company has established a program that allows state residents to purchase specific magazines directly from the company.
If you’re thinking about getting into that program, you need to know that both the billing and shipping addresses must be in Colorado. And, no, the company’s not going to sell 30-round magazines to Denver residents. There’s already a ban in place there.
With companies stepping up their actions, it seems time for individual gun owners to get involved as well…suggestions include boycotts of products and promises not to visit those areas. As one angry gun owner posted “when the hotels are empty, the restaurants closed, their products have rotted in the fields and they see we’re serious, maybe they’ll reconsider their ill-conceived actions.”
Buckeye Firearms Foundation Promotes Legal Defense for Gun Owners
Buckeye Firearms Foundation today announced that they have formed an affiliate relationship with Second Call Defense, an Ohio-based membership organization offering legal defense options for gun owners who defend themselves with a firearm.
28th Wildlife Officer Cadet Academy to take place in Spring 2014
The Ohio Department of Natural Resources is now accepting applications for the position of Wildlife Officer. Applications will be accepted through March 24, 2013. View the job description here. More information on…
Connecticut news station sets the record straight on the AR-15
This news report from Connecticut is a great one to share with people who are still under the false impression that the “AR” in AR-15 means “assault rifle,” that these guns are fully automatic, that they can shoot faster than a handgun, etc. etc.
To the Editor: Board should permit teachers to carry guns
The following letter was published in the Columbus Dispatch on March 7.
Board should permit teachers to carry guns
As a teacher at East High School, I think teachers and school personnel with concealed-carry licenses should be allowed to carry their weapon with them to school. The Ohio Revised Code gives teachers and school personnel this right if their Board of Education gives them permission.
The Second Amendment of the Constitution of the United States and the Ohio Revised Code grant permission, so why wouldn’t the Columbus Board of Education grant its permission? Teachers are entrusted with the safety of our students, so let us keep them safe. If the board is sincere about the safety of the students, then let those with CCW permits carry their weapons on the job.
If the board balks at giving this permission, it makes me question board members’ sincerity about keeping my students and this community’s children safe. The board talks a good talk, but it is only that: talk.
– WAYNE WHITEHEAD
Mansfield