Buckeye Firearms Association

Four simple truths about Florida's Zimmerman-Martin case that aren't being discussed by the media

cbaus — Fri, 25 May 2012 15:00:00 -0400

by Don Kates

The shooting of Trayvon Martin by George Zimmerman has been the subject of enormous confusion, not only because the facts are not entirely clear, but more because of public misunderstanding of the relevant law. I hope the following will help clarify things.

1. IT'S NOT THE JOB OF THE POLICE TO INTERRUPT CRIMES AND DEFEND CITIZENS.

The police exist to do two things ONLY: patrol thereby deterring crime; and investigating already-committed crimes to apprehend the perpetrators. The police cannot be expected to interrupt crime and defend citizens. This is because police are rarely around when criminals strike. The statistics on apprehension of criminals show that in less than 5% of cases does that happen while the crime is in progress. In many more cases the police arrive AFTER the crime has occurred and literally chase down the criminal. In many more cases yet the police arrive AFTER the crime has occurred and only make an arrest days or weeks later during which time investigation has identified some particular person as the criminal.

Because the police have no general duty to defend victims, by either statute or common law in EVERY STATE the police are immune from suit by victims who claim the police should have defended them. In no state are police liable even if they negligently fail to defend victims – because they have the duty ONLY to patrol and to apprehend after the crime, not to defend victims.

If you want to be defended from crimes you prepare to defend yourselves! If you want to defend your neighborhood, you organize a neighborhood watch like the one of which Zimmerman was a captain. (It was pursuant to his duty as captain that Zimmerman surveilled Martin, whom he saw as a suspicious character.)

2. IT WAS TO PROTECT ZIMMERMAN, NOT MARTIN, THAT POLICE DISCLAIMED ANY REQUEST TO FOLLOW MARTIN.

Why did the police dispatcher to whom Zimmerman reported Martin tell Zimmerman not to follow him further? [See caveat below] Because if she had not the Department might have been sued by Zimmerman or his surviving relatives. The dispatcher could reasonably have anticipated what Zimmerman claims did happen: that Martin attacked him, knocking him down, beating him about the face – thereby breaking his nose – and repeatedly smashing his head into the cement. Had Zimmerman not had a gun he might have been even more seriously injured or killed.

And guess who could have been sued for that? The police! They would not have been liable for failing to defend Zimmerman. But they would be liable for any injury Zimmerman suffered from following Martin pursuant to police approval. Telling Zimmerman not to follow Martin assured that police would not be held liable to Zimmerman for in any way authorizing or condoning his pursuit of Martin.

[CAVEAT: based on the transcript, the police did NOT tell Zimmerman not to follow Martin; they just disclaimed any request that he do so.]

3. ZIMMERMAN HAD A PERFECT RIGHT TO OBSERVE AND FOLLOW MARTIN ON PUBLIC STREETS.

The police have absolutely no special authority either themselves to observe or follow people on the public streets or to authorize or forbid others doing so. The law is that everyone has the right to observe or follow anyone else on the public streets. That is the only reason the police have the right to do so. Just like – and no more than – George Zimmerman had the right to observe or follow Martin on the public streets.

4. IRRELEVANCE OF "STAND YOUR GROUND" LAWS

Unfortunately news media coverage of this shooting has grossly mis-portrayed both the facts and law, thereby dragging in legal issues that have no relevance at all. News reports have consistently misled the public into thinking the case involves some unique recent Florida "stand your ground" law which protects victims who have stood their ground to defend themselves against attackers.

In fact, both the facts on which both sides agree and the allegations on which they disagree preclude application of any aspect of the "stand your ground" law: If, as the shooter claims, Martin rushed up behind him, knocked him down and was sitting on his chest beating him, retreat was impossible. Conversely, if as Martin's advocates claim, Martin posed no threat to Zimmerman and was wantonly shot down, Zimmerman committed murder. Under no view of these conflicting allegations is it relevant that Florida law allows a victim to stand his ground when attacked.

Moreover the "stand your ground" rule has been the majority rule among American states for over 200 years. It is true that a new statute endorsing the "stand your ground" rule has recently been adopted by twenty-five of our fifty states. But this statute makes no difference since almost all of those states – and the rest of the states -- had long endorsed the "stand your ground" principle. To reiterate, immunity from prosecution for standing your ground and defending yourself when attached has been the majority American law for centuries. In addition to the 25 states that have recently enacted the NRA statute, another seven states have earlier statutes applying "stand your ground" to situations outside the home, such as in vehicles or places of employment. Other states long ago adopted "stand your ground" by judge-made law.

Don Kates is a retired American professor of constitutional and criminal law, and a criminologist and research fellow with The Independent Institute in Oakland, California. His books include Armed: New Perspectives On Gun Control, Restricting Handguns: The Liberal Skeptics Speak Out, Firearms and Violence: Issues of Public Policy, and The Great American Gun Debate: Essays on Firearms and Violence. As a civil liberties lawyer he has represented gun owners attacking the constitutionality of certain firearms laws.

Michigan Man Deserves Praise, Not Firing Says CCRKBA

cbaus — Fri, 25 May 2012 07:00:00 -0400

BELLEVUE, WA - Wayne County, MI employee John Chevilott should be honored, not fired for turning over a loaded gun to the police that he found while on the job, the Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms said today.

"This man was fired by the Wayne County Department of Public Services for doing the right thing," said CCRKBA Chairman Alan Gottlieb. "We are stunned that this situation has continued for two weeks. Wayne County officials need to correct this nonsense."

Chevilott found the gun while he was mowing the grass in the Brightmoor neighborhood, according to published reports. He picked up the gun, which had been damaged by a lawnmower and held it hoping to turn it over to the police, after he called to report the discovery. When police didn't respond, he kept the gun and drove it to a police station after his shift. The gun turned out to have been stolen in 2005.

"The police reportedly commended Chevilott," Gottlieb noted, "but his bosses fired him for 'violating policy.' Since when is it policy in Wayne County, or anywhere else, to simply leave a loaded gun lying around where it might be picked up by a child? Are morons in charge in Wayne County?"

In addition to firing Chevilott, the county also suspended his supervisor for 30 days. The local labor union has filed a grievance on Chevilott's behalf.

"The policy Chevilott violated forbids employees from having weapons while on the job," Gottlieb observed, "but that's aimed at the carrying of personal weapons, not picking up loose guns found on the job and turning them over to police. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to see the difference, and for Mr. Chevilott's bosses to take such an inflexible position suggests it is bullheaded stubbornness, and nothing else, that is guiding their decision.

"Mr. Chevilott should be immediately reinstated with full back pay," Gottlieb said. "He clearly exercised responsibility by taking that gun off the street. What he did demonstrates far more civic leadership than his bosses at Wayne County."

Ohio Hunters Harvest More Than 17,000 Turkeys During Spring Hunt

cbaus — Thu, 24 May 2012 15:00:00 -0400

Ashtabula County again leads the harvest

COLUMBUS, OH- Hunters checked 17,647 wild turkeys during Ohio's four-week statewide spring turkey hunting season that ended May 20, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources’ (ODNR) Division of Wildlife. The preliminary total represents a three percent decrease over last year's harvest number of 18,162.

Ashtabula County again led the state in the number of turkeys killed with 762. Counties with additional high harvest numbers were: Ashtabula-762, Tuscarawas-531, Guernsey-495, Coshocton-492, Muskingum-486, Belmont-456, Knox-451, Harrison-450, Trumbull-428 and Adams-420.

The Division of Wildlife estimates that more than 70,000 people hunted turkeys during the season. Prior to the start of the spring hunting season, state wildlife biologists estimated the wild turkey population in Ohio to be more than 180,000 birds.

Wild turkeys were nearly eliminated in Ohio before being reintroduced in the mid-1950s by the Division of Wildlife. The first spring turkey hunting season opened in 1966. Wild turkeys are now present in all 88 counties.

Turkey hunters are reminded that hunting licenses purchased now are also valid during the 2012 fall hunting season. Spring turkey permits are good for spring season only. Those participating in the fall turkey season will need to buy a fall turkey permit. The 2012-2013 licenses will not be printed on weatherproof paper. Sportsmen and women should protect their licenses and permits from the elements by carrying them in a protective pouch or wallet.

Editor's Note: Preliminary spring turkey season results for 2012 are listed. The 2011 final totals are shown in parentheses.

Adams: 420 (502); Allen: 45 (45); Ashland: 237 (224); Ashtabula: 762 (700); Athens: 335 (367); Auglaize: 34 (36); Belmont: 456 (435); Brown: 350 (428); Butler: 184 (200); Carroll: 385 (349); Champaign: 87 (87); Clark: 18 (17); Clermont: 338 (420); Clinton: 60 (75); Columbiana: 410 (394); Coshocton: 492 (443); Crawford: 77 (85); Cuyahoga: 2 (4); Darke: 52 (43); Defiance: 218 (227); Delaware: 126 (131); Erie: 60 (52); Fairfield: 111 (90); Fayette: 6 (5); Franklin: 21 (23); Fulton: 92 (90); Gallia: 289 (370); Geauga: 276 (300); Greene: 20 (23); Guernsey: 495 (498); Hamilton: 119 (139); Hancock: 23 (31); Hardin: 88 (74); Harrison: 450 (474); Henry: 32 (35); Highland: 402 (438); Hocking: 296 (283); Holmes: 259 (215); Huron: 152 (158); Jackson: 292 (296); Jefferson: 365 (374); Knox: 451 (498); Lake: 84 (58); Lawrence: 179 (262); Licking: 380 (425); Logan: 166 (159); Lorain: 177 (182); Lucas: 46 (43); Madison: 1 (4); Mahoning: 238 (226); Marion: 49 (53); Medina: 120 (116); Meigs: 366 (396); Mercer: 20 (17); Miami: 12 (26); Monroe: 417 (440); Montgomery: 20 (15); Morgan: 292 (338); Morrow: 212 (205); Muskingum: 486 (455); Noble: 333 (305); Ottawa: 9 (2); Paulding: 99 (82); Perry: 247 (257); Pickaway: 26 (28); Pike: 280 (270); Portage: 234 (224); Preble: 91 (71); Putnam: 50 (58); Richland: 393 (408); Ross: 333 (344); Sandusky: 13 (17); Scioto: 210 (260); Seneca: 165 (162); Shelby: 42 (39); Stark: 213 (219); Summit: 42 (28); Trumbull: 428 (405); Tuscarawas: 531 (571); Union: 38 (37); Van Wert: 11 (21); Vinton: 263 (256); Warren: 90 (123); Washington: 390 (402); Wayne: 96 (107); Williams: 261 (242); Wood: 19 (21); Wyandot: 88 (105). Totals: 17,647 (18,162).

BFA leaders spend a day with handgun combatives expert Dave Spaulding

drieck — Thu, 24 May 2012 07:00:00 -0400

by Dean Rieck

The leadership of Buckeye Firearms Association spend so much time with politics and legislation, we don't get to enjoy shooting and socializing as much as we'd like. So we were thrilled when an opportunity came along.

It all started when we decided to host four separate handgun training classes with Dave Spaulding. Because of Dave's outstanding reputation as a self-defense instructor, each of these events sold out within an hour of announcing them.

We got caught up in the excitement and someone got the idea to ask Dave to come in the day before our first event to run a class for a few members of our leadership team.

So we showed up on the morning of Saturday, May 19, 2012 at the private range of BFA Leader and NRA Board Member Linda Walker. The weather was sunny and warm and we spent the entire day shooting and improving our skills.

Dave teaches what he calls "Handgun Combatives," which is also the title of his best-selling book. His approach is based on the idea of keeping things simple and drilling the fundamentals. Why? Dave says, "Simple is easier to teach, easier to learn, easier to anchor in your motor skill sets and most of all easier to maintain with limited practice time and available, costly ammo."

The day began with a one-hour presentation where Dave gave us an overview of his self-defense philosophy, including mindset, stance, grip, trigger control, and ready positions. Then we hiked to the range to put the ideas into action.

We enjoyed how Dave not only explained what he wanted us to do, but why. He proved himself to be a great teacher, and a great shot as well.

Dave got up close and personal with BFA Chairman Jim Irvine as he demonstrated close quarters combat.

BFA team members stepped up to the line to practice drawing from a holster and firing.

Dave likes to shoot. And he showed off a little by drilling the target with a grouping you could easily cover with half a credit card.

We got in a lot of target practice, shooting at practical defensive distances from about 3 feet to 21 feet.

We couldn't come close to matching Dave's pistolcraft, but as this target shows, we did okay.

We ended the day around 5:00 p.m., tidied up the range, and hiked back to Linda's home where we had pizza, talked guns, and enjoyed the company of our fellow Second Amendment supporters.

We want to thank Dave and his teaching partner Brian Buchanan for spending the day with us. We all learned a lot and came away from his class with better shooting skills.

For more information on Dave Spaulding, visit his Handgun Combatives website.

Dean Rieck is BFA's Marketing and Communications Director and a direct marketing consultant for clients in the U.S., Canada, and Australia.

Young shooters invited to the 2012 National Junior Pistol Camp

drieck — Wed, 23 May 2012 15:00:00 -0400

Some of America's top shooters will be in the news as they compete in the 2012 Olympic Games in London. Junior shooters with their own Olympic dreams should sign up early for NRA's annual Junior Pistol Camp, to be held July 10-14 2012, at Camp Perry, Ohio in conjunction with NRA’s National Rifle and Pistol Championships.

This camp is without doubt one of the single most effective training sessions in competitive pistol shooting a Junior can find.

Camp students will receive expert coaching in the fundamental principles and techniques of conventional and international pistol shooting. "This is a great opportunity for any youngster who wants to improve his or her pistol skills and advance to national or international levels," said Head Coach Richard Pearson. "All instruction and coaching will be conducted by outstanding NRA Certified Coaches."

The camp is primarily designed for intermediate and advanced shooters, but beginners will be accepted on a space-available basis. Shooters need to be at least 12 years old. Students who have not reached their 18th Birthday by July 1, 2012, must be accompanied to Camp Perry by an adult sponsor (age 21 or older). An adult may not sponsor more than three junior students. Enrollment will be limited to 50 students.

The pistol camp activities will not conflict with the .22 cal. stage of the Pistol Championships, and students enrolled at the pistol camp will be able to also participate in the .22 cal. matches. Entry fees for the National Championships are not included in the camp registration fees.

REGISTRATION AND FEES:

Registration forms and fees for the camp will be accepted at NRA Headquarters on a first-come, first-served basis. For all mailed entries, the earliest postmarks will be used to determine order of acceptance. Registration fees cover all administrative costs and training materials. (The registration fees do not cover other costs such as travel and room and board.)

Travel Expense Reimbursement: First-time campers are eligible for tuition and travel reimbursements up to $500.00 per individual, up to a total of $5000.00 for the entire camp. You must provide receipts and or vehicle mileage. The Ohio Gun Collectors Association generously provides this support.
Advance Registration: The fee for advance registration is $200.00 per student, and must be received by the NRA not later than June 15, 2012.
Standard Registration: The fee for standard registration is $225.00 per student. This fee will be charged for students whose registration materials are received after June 15, 2012 (postmarks will determine acceptance of all mailed materials), or for students who register directly at Camp Perry.
In the case of cancellation, refunds will be issued less a 20% administrative fee.

Click here to download registration forms and additional information. Address questions to National Rifle Association - Training Department, Education and Training Division, 11250 Waples Mill Road, Fairfax, VA 22030 - (703) 267-1411.

MAIG Coordinators Paid as City Employees, Saves Gun-Hater’s Money

cbaus — Wed, 23 May 2012 07:00:00 -0400

Editor's Note - Last Friday, Buckeye Firearms Association broke the news that anti-gun Columbus Mayor Michael Coleman is mailing invitations to join Mayors Against Illegal Guns on official letterhead. The rabbit hole, it appears, goes far, far deeper. The following op-ed originally appeared on the author's blog, AllNineYards.com. Republished with permission.

by Sean Caranna

Here's a great way to reduce overhead and be effective at running a national organization dedicated to infringing on the gun rights of everyday people all at the same time... Have cities hire your people for you so that tax payers cover 1/4 of your people's salary and benefits, pay for most of their operational costs, and finance all of their other resources! It also embeds your people as leaders in city government so that you don't have to lobby there!

Sounds like another conspiracy theory from the tinfoil hat brigade... Right?

Back in March, while researching the repeal of some anti-gun ordinances, I stumbled across an Orlando City Council agenda item that grabbed my attention. It was, on its surface, just a mundane action item for the annual contract renewal of a city employee. But this city employee's job title was, well, unique...

"Approving Employment Contract for the Grant-Funded Position of Mayors Against Illegal Guns Regional Coordinator." City of Orlando Website

The agenda included a budgetary breakdown for how a $75,000 grant from the "United Against Illegal Guns Support Fund" was to be spent.

$60,000 in salary and benefits for the "MAIG Regional Coordinator"
$2,000 for Supplies
$3,000 for Contractual Services
$10,000 for Travel

Also attached was the Fiscal Impact statement. It showed that this employee's salary and benefits were expected to cost the city $84,000 for the year. It allocated $24,000 from the city's "General Fund" to cover the grant's shortfall.

The employee's resume was also attached.

Linda S. Vaughn

Southeast U. S. Regional Director (thirteen states) for the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence
Florida Partnership to Prevent Gun Violence
Lobbyist for Mayors Against Illegal Guns, Florida Retail Federation, Early Childhood Association
She "organized and activated the Floridians Against Workplace Violence Coalition for the sole purpose of defeating" the bill that protects parking lot storage of lawful guns in private vehicles.
Mayors Against Illegal Guns – Lobbying to close the "gun show loophole" (prohibiting private sales of firearms) and to close the "terror gap" (depriving people of their right to keep and bear arms without due-process by putting them on the no-fly list).

This is also the same Linda S. Vaughn who was busted trying to bait people into illegal gun transfers in 2004.

She is a long time anti-gun lobbyist in Florida who lives in Tallahassee.

So, Linda S. Vaughn is paid a salary of at least $60,000 per year by the City of Orlando using grant funds provided by the Chicago based Joyce Foundation in collusion with New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg's Mayors Against Illegal Guns. She also receives city medical, dental and leave accrual benefits at taxpayer expense. Her authorized pay range tops out at $228,113.60 for this job annually.

Once I put these facts all together, I went in to my closet and put on my wookie suit. Then I took the red pill, locked and loaded, and dove in to the rabbit hole trying to see how far it goes. On Friday I came screaming out of the other end flying at mach 3, pissed off, pissed on, and with my wookie suit in flames.

The tinfoil hat wearing "the government is in bed with the gun-haters and using my tax dollars to take away my guns," conspiracy theorists were right. These gun ban lobbyists are being paid with tax money and are operating in government positions all over the country to do the work of the anti-gun groups.

The Mayors Against Illegal Guns and the Brady Campaign's operatives' work to further gun control is financed on the public dime.

The number of regulatory, enforcement, policy, legislative, and other types of gun ban schemes that these people are involved with is utterly mind-blowing. They're attempting to use USDOJ operation "Weed and Feed" grant money to do gun buybacks; they're pushing everything from registration to micro-stamping, outright bans on lawful firearm possession to zero tolerance rules to arrest kids who have toy guns. You name it; they're doing it to attempt to make all guns illegal; and they're working for MAIG out of city offices with the authority of city officials on the public dime.

The City of Orlando's job description for their resident gun ban operative is a sobering look at the anti-gun agenda and lobbying strategy of MAIG.

Some cities have used abbreviated titles and even blatantly deceptive names for these positions which are filled by Bloomberg's anti-gun rights political operatives. Dept of Health, Injury and Prevention Program, Program Manager; MAIG Coordinator; MAIGC Regional Coordinator; these are just the ones I have found so far. It's going to take a lot more research to find them all but there is one system that always provides fast results, follow the money. When a city takes the grant money it gets directed to a department and often an individual employment contract.

Complicating matters more is that some of the appointments use nothing but tax dollars. William Morales is a Milwaukee, WI Police officer who was taken off the street and put on a one-year leave of absence so he could be Mayor Barrett's representative to the Mayors Against Illegal Guns as Regional Coordinator. Paulina DeHaan now holds the job.

These gun control lobbyists have been drawing government paychecks and operating city departments at tax payer expense to take away your right to bear arms for almost a decade. The Joyce Foundation and Bloomberg's groups have provided millions in funding to the cities that put Bloomberg's people in place, but they do not pay anything close to the entire bill.

Public statements and press releases about these "MAIG RCs" are noticeably scarce. The one that I did find from a Mayor employing activists on behalf of MAIG is highly deceptive. It completely ignores that fact that the grants only cover about 3/4 of the employee's direct expense to the city and none of the direct or indirect expenses of other city resources used by Bloomberg's private anti-gun lobbying group.

"Funded by the grant, the regional coordinator who will work out of Mayor Coleman's office with the full support of the mayor, his staff and the Columbus Department of Public Safety. The coordinator will be charged with advancing common-sense state and local policies to address gun violence in Ohio, facilitate the enforcement of existing gun laws and engage partners among additional mayors, law enforcement, the firearms industry and the faith community."
...
"I am thrilled that Mayor Coleman and the City of Columbus will host the new Ohio regional coordinator for Mayors Against Illegal Guns," said New York City Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg, coalition co-chair."

- Columbus Ohio Press Rel. Apr 2010

Even if the Illegal Mayors and the Brady Bunch provided 100% of the funds it would still be private/public collusion of the worst kind. Could you imagine the scathing editorials, cries of corruption, and the lawsuits that would be filed if the City of Orlando were to put Marion Hammer on staff as their NRA Regional Coordinator? How about if they made me the City Coordinator of Florida Carry, Inc. Interoperation?

Florida Carry will be looking closely at everything MAIG's Linda Vaughn is doing in her position with the City of Orlando. Her work products and materials are subject to Florida Sunshine Laws. We are demanding the disclosure of all documents, emails, records, and other materials related to her work with the City, State, and MAIG. Florida has some of the best firearms preemption laws in the country, any violations of that law by government employees will result in Florida Carry taking appropriate legal action. We also want to determine what work she is doing for private lobbying groups while collecting a city paycheck.

There will be an official release from Florida Carry about this situation next week.

Here's a list of the Brady Bunch/MAIG shills I’ve found working for cities across the US thus far.

Leslie Manning
Coordinator, Mayors Against Illegal Guns
Augusta, ME

Paulina DeHaan
Regional Coordinator Mayors Against Illegal Guns
Milwaukee, WI

Angelo Roefaro
Former MAIG Coordinator
Utica, NY
Left to work for Sen. Schumer

Title Unknown
Minneapolis, MN

Lee Roberts
MAIG Regional Coordinator
Columbus, OH

Title Unknown
Lewiston, ME

Office of Intergovernmental Relations
Seattle, WA

MAIG Regional Coordinator
Reading, PA

Daniel Cronrath
Former MAIG Coordinator
Jacksonville, FL
2003 to 2010 Served under Mayor Peyton (R). Fired when Mayor Brown (D) was elected 2010.

Linda S. Vaughn
MAIG Regional Coordinator
Orlando, FL

Sean Caranna is the founder and Executive Director of Florida Carry, Inc. He spent eight years in the U.S. Army as an Infantry NCO, including active duty service in Europe, Bosnia, and South America; he also served in the Florida Army National Guard. Since leaving the military he has worked in the computer imaging, simulation, and advanced information-technology fields.

Video: Girls and Guns - Behind the trend

cbaus — Tue, 22 May 2012 15:00:00 -0400

WDTN (NBC Dayton) recently ran an extensive and informative look at the increasing trend in woman purchasing firearms and obtaining their concealed handgun licenses.

H.R. 822 would allow any person with a valid state-issued concealed firearm permit to carry a concealed firearm in any state that issues concealed firearm permits, or that does not prohibit the carrying of concealed firearms for lawful purposes. A state's laws governing where concealed firearms may be carried would apply within its borders. The bill applies to D.C., Puerto Rico and U.S. territories. It would not create a federal licensing system; rather, it would require the states to recognize each others' carry permits, just as they recognize drivers' licenses and carry permits held by armored car guards. Rep. Stearns has introduced such legislation since 1995.

To download the letter, which includes the signature of Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine, please click here.

State Attorneys General

A Communication from the Chief Legal Officers
of the Following States and Territories:

Alabama * Alaska * Arizona * Arkansas * Georgia * Guam * Idaho * Kansas * Kentucky Louisiana * Maine * Michigan * Mississippi * Missouri * Montana * Nebraska * New Mexico * North Dakota * Ohio * South Dakota * Utah * West Virginia * Wyoming

April 25, 2012

Dear Congressmen Stearns and Shuler:

Thank you for sponsoring H.R. 822 (National Right-to-Carry Reciprocity Act) in the 112th Congress. As you know, this legislation – which has 245 cosponsors – enhances the right to self-defense by enabling millions of concealed carry license or permit holders to exercise their right to personal protection while traveling outside their home states.

While some have suggested this legislation would endanger public safety, our experience suggests the opposite. Individuals with concealed carry permits from our states have proven to be more law-abiding than non-licensees, and in many instances have been able to defend themselves and others effectively from criminal attack. Many of our states also have laws recognizing out-of-state permits, and people carrying concealed handguns under those laws have done so without any unusual problems. Finally, our law enforcement agencies have been able to authenticate out-of-state permits promptly, when needed.

We are pleased that the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 822 by a 272-154 vote on November 16, 2011 and therefore urge the U.S. Senate to pass it as well.

Dustin McDaniel
Arkansas Attorney General

William J. Schneider
Maine Attorney General

Bill Schuette
Michigan Attorney General

Chris Koster
Missouri Attorney General

Luther Strange
Alabama Attorney General

Michael Geraghty
Alaska Attorney General

Tom Horne
Arizona Attorney General

Sam Olens
Georgia Attorney General

Lenny Rapadas
Guam Attorney General

Lawrence Wasden
Idaho Attorney General

Derek Schmidt
Kansas Attorney General

Jack Conway
Kentucky Attorney General

James "Buddy" Caldwell
Louisiana Attorney General

Jim Hood
Mississippi Attorney General

Steve Bullock
Montana Attorney General

Jon Bruning
Nebraska Attorney General

Gary King
New Mexico Attorney General

Wayne Stenehjem
North Dakota Attorney General

Mike Dewine
Ohio Attorney General

Marty J. Jackley
South Dakota Attorney General

Mark Shurtleff
Utah Attorney General

Darrell V. McGraw, JR.
West Virginia Attorney General

Greg Phillips
Wyoming Attorney General

Video: OSU Student Group Asks For Dialogue On Allowing Concealed Handguns On Campus

cbaus — Mon, 21 May 2012 15:00:00 -0400

WCMH (NBC Columbus) reported recently on a forum held by an Ohio State University student group to encourage discussion on allowing concealed handguns on campus.

Ohio Gun Collector's Association 75th Anniversary: A celebration of freedom

cbaus — Mon, 21 May 2012 07:00:00 -0400

by Larry S. Moore

The Ohio Gun Collectors Association (OGCA) is celebrating their 75th anniversary this year. First a word about the OGCA meetings and show is appropriate. The OGCA shows are not open to the general public. You must be a member or a visitor sponsored by a member in order to attend the show. The meetings and shows have been held at the Roberts Center outside Wilmington, Ohio for many years. There is also a special event now at the IX Center in Cleveland.

The annual display show includes museum quality antique, military, sporting and educational displays. OGCA presents awards to the display competitors recognizing the outstanding displays in several categories. The member attendees get a unique opportunity to view the results of a lifetime of firearms and historical collections.

The highlight was the annual membership and award banquet held this year at the Manor House in Mason. Cecil Parker, OGCA President, served as the master of ceremony for the evening. Parker introduced the current State of Ohio Treasurer Josh Mandel, noting that Mandel is running against current Senator Sherrod Brown.

Mandel briefly noted, "I am very happy to be here tonight with people who value freedom and care so much about our rights and Constitution. I was inspired by my Grandfather to join the Marine Corps. I reflect about that bond and the oath to defend the Constitution. When I think about my oath to defend the Constitution, I think about the Second Amendment. I see something that is not gray but black and white. I believe very strongly that individual citizens should have the right to protect their families, homes and businesses. They should have the right to hunt and use firearms however they wish within the bounds of the law. I'm proud of what OGCA and everyone in this room does to protect freedom and the Second Amendment."

Parker next introduced the keynote speaker for the evening Wayne LaPierre, Executive Vice President of The National Rifle Association. Parker noted that we all know him as "the face, voice and heart of the NRA".

"It's an honor to be here for the 75th anniversary of the OGCA. Thanks to all the members of the OGCA and for everything you have done for so many years, day in and day out, for our freedom. Also with the folks from Buckeye Firearms. Everyone here hasw done such great work. Everything the NRA does is through each person across this great country who are determined not to lose the great freedoms we have. That's the success of the NRA day in and day out. When I look at the NRA it's about our membership and giving voice to our members. The NRA is about freedom, patriotism and core American values. We feel a bond to the fabric of America that keeps our country free. Our American culture is uniquely and deeply embedded in the Second Amendment individual right to own a gun. The Second Amendment is a metaphor for freedom. You are not free if you can't defend yourself", LaPierre began.

He continued, "The 75th Anniversary is the diamond anniversary. That's the hardest stone and the Second Amendment is the hardest stone for freedom in the USA. We get up every day freer than anyone else on the face of this planet. No one has duplicated the USA because of the freedoms we have in the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. I can't tell you how many times I heard Charlton Heston say that the doorway to freedom is framed by the muskets that first defended it at that Concord Bridge. Throughout history the right of self-defense has been recognized by legal and religious scholars. The freedom of self-defense was written into our Constitution. The only people who don't get it are those liberals and elite who don't face what the average citizen faces every day. We have phenomenal success removing many restrictions of our Second Amendment freedoms. Today forty-one states have shall issue concealed carry laws; court cases have reaffirmed that the Second Amendment is an individual right; and the NRA Eddie Eagle program has reached over 23 million American young people making them safer.

Regarding the shooting sports LaPierre noted, "Before there was baseball or football in this country there were the shooting sports. The shooting sports teaches safety, discipline and responsibility. More people participate in the shooting sports than golf, tennis and skiing. It's the great American pastime. We are a $32 billion industry with over 100 million gun owners and 15 million hunters. We are the ones who are the backbone of conservation dollars in this country."

LaPierre boiled down the Second Amendment fight saying, "The battle over our Second Amendment rights is about the non-elite and non-celebrity citizen. It's about everyday Americans having freedoms and protection under the Constitution. Americans are buying guns in record numbers. Women are buying guns. Americans are embracing this freedom because they know if everything else goes wrong, it will be up to us to get our family and protect them with guns. We all need to support freedom. We need to get out and make a difference."

Regarding the upcoming elections, LaPierre urged everyone to get involved, "This is an all in election year. All our rights and freedoms, indeed our way of life, are on the line. It means each one of us must be involved. No one can sit this one out. We are patriots. We are Americans. We must be all in for freedom!"

It was a wonderful evening to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the OGCA. It was the vision of the thirty-three founding members who met at the home of Miller C. Bedford to create the OGCA. The OGCA has grown to be the largest firearms and memorabilia collectors organization in the world! The members of the OGCA embody the true spirit of patriotism combined with an unique appreciation of firearms and history. Congratulations on a great display show and banquet. For more information on the OGCA go to www.ogca.com/.

Outdoor writer and hunter education instructor Larry S. Moore is a long-time volunteer leader for Buckeye Firearms Foundation and winner of the 2005 USSA Patriot Award, the 2007 League of Ohio Sportsmen/Ohio Wildlife Federation Hunter Educator of the Year and the 2010 National Wild Turkey Federation/ Women in the Outdoors Hunter Education Instructor of the Year.