By Gerard Valentino

(This commentary has also been published at CNSNews.com!

Politicians, scientists and the American public have now accepted gun-control as a failed social experiment resulting in the proliferation of concealed-carry laws nationwide. The medical profession, however, stands as one of the few remaining special interest groups that still believe in disarming law-abiding citizens without regard for the clear public health benefits of gun-ownership.

By modest estimates guns are used in self-defense 2.5 million times per year with most instances not requiring a shot to be fired. Such a number dwarfs the roughly 28,000 people that die annually in gun related incidents. Considering that suicides account for roughly half of gun deaths the chance of an average American becoming a victim of random gun violence is slight.

If you take out drug turf and other type of criminal on criminal murders the odds of becoming a random victim of gun violence shrinks even more.

By Jim Irvine

Representative Ron Hood (R-91) of Ashville has introduced HB460. This legislation allows schools to “offer a course in firearm safety and marksmanship.” The course would be taught by a certified instructor, covering a list of required topics, and any additional criteria established by the school district. Students who complete the course would receive a certificate of accomplishment.

Schools teaching kids about safety is nothing new, but like the NRA’s Eddie Eagle GunSafe®
program, this is optional, could save lives, and is likely to be shunned by the school boards and media. Facts don’t seem to matter, to those who hate guns.

A similar law became effective in Arizona last April. The biggest difference being that Arizona’s law is mandatory, Ohio’s would be optional.

Click on read more for outlandish media comments, and the actual text of the bill.