By Chad D. Baus

Ohio news reports today indicate that the reforms contained in HB347, including statewide preemption of local gun laws, is likely to become law soon with or without Bob Taft's support.

The first option to prevent Taft from thwarting the will of the people will be for the General Assembly to override a veto, if it comes.

The second option begins in January - that's because voters have finally chosen a truly pro-gun governor in Democrat Ted Strickland, and because voters have returned an even larger pro-gun majority in the General Assembly than we already now enjoy.

From the Toledo Blade, regarding Option 1, veto-override:

Sen. Jim Jordan (R., Urbana) wants to force the issue, getting the bill to the governor as soon as possible to start a 10-day clock ticking for his action.

That would give lawmakers time to consider a veto override before the current two-year session draws to an end.

Legislative leaders have tentatively set Dec. 19 as the date by which they hope to wrap up business, but they could stick around until the end of the year.

"It's good policy," he said. "Let the process work. If he wants to veto it, then our options are to override or go home, and I think we should override. ...All I know is, the emphasis was always on law enforcement being comfortable. Law enforcement was comfortable ...and then suddenly it becomes the pre-emption focus."

By Chad D. Baus

Using the same tactic he did in an eleventh hour attempt to derail Ohio's concealed carry law, Bob Taft has threatened to veto a gun rights bill over a provision that has been a part of the legislation since the day it was first introduced more than one year ago.

The provision Taft suddenly opposes would create statewide preemption, ensuring that firearms laws are uniform throughout the state. Currently, 43 states have similar laws.

The need for this legislation was expressed most succinctly this week by John Hohenwarter, a regional representative of the NRA.

"You can’t have a patchwork of laws that no one can keep track of, let alone comply with," he said. "It’s common sense legislation." (for a list of how sporadic and impossible to stay abreast of Ohio's laws now are, click here)

Other arguments in favor of this common sense legislation have come from an unlikely place - the Cleveland Plain Dealer.

Click on 'Read More' for the full story.

Buckeye Firearm Association's web site is seeing an amazing growth in visitors and new articles are being posted several times a week.

This week's "Friday Flashback" is....

15 Ways To Fight For Our Second Amendment Rights

By Chris Chumita

The fight to keep our Second Amendment rights has had some impressive victories lately. In the past few years, we have seen more states begin to allow citizens to carry concealed firearms, the repeal of the “Clinton Assault Rifle Ban,” and the recent passage of the “Lawful Commerce In Arms Act.”

Despite these victories, now is not the time for us to become complacent about our Second Amendment rights. In fact, it is under attack in ways that we have only feared. For example, we have seen the passage of an “Assault Rifle Ban” in Columbus, Ohio, a voter approved gun ban in San Francisco, and the confiscation of firearms from law abiding citizens during a natural disaster in Louisiana.

Now, more than ever, we have to fight to protect out Second Amendment rights. Below are 15 easy things that you can do to help. You do not have to do all 15 to join the fight, but if everyone could just do one of them, it would help gun owners everywhere.

Click on the "Read More... link below for the complete story.

November 29, 2006
NEWS RELEASE

SAF LAWSUIT DEFENDS RIGHTS OF CITIZENS LIVING ABROAD, CHALLENGES ‘SPORTING PURPOSE’ RESTRICTION

BELLEVUE, WA – The Second Amendment Foundation today filed a lawsuit in federal court in Ohio, challenging the “sporting purpose” limitation for firearms sales in this country, and supporting the constitutional right of American citizens living abroad to legally purchase firearms while in this country.

SAF and co-plaintiff Stephen Dearth of Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, a native citizen of the United States, are represented by the law firms of Gura & Possessky (Virginia) and Squire, Sanders & Dempsey (Ohio).

SAF founder Alan M. Gottlieb said “there is no ‘sporting purpose’ limitation on the right to keep and bear arms in the language of the Second Amendment.”

Click on 'Read More' for the entire release.