There are more stories pertaining to our gun rights in Ohio then we can possibly draw attention to with individual daily commentary. But they are worthy of mention.

What follows is our weekly review of headlines from around the state though a pro-gun rights lens.

From your comments on keeping CHL information private to upcoming sportsman's events, this article deserves to be a part of your required reading!

Click on the "Read More..." link below for seven days of headlines accompanied by short, concise pro-gun analysis.

By Chris Chumita

The legendary Ithaca shotguns are back, and are being manufactured in Ohio. Ithaca Guns USA, LLC is now owned by Craig and Floyd Marshall. The Marshalls own a molding and tool company in Ohio called Moldcraft. Moldcraft currently makes plastic molds and once did work for the Chrysler Tank Plant.

Since they were first produced in 1883, Ithaca guns have been known for their quality and reliability. Their most famous model, the Model 37 repeater was first produced in 1937. Prominent figures such as Teddy Roosevelt and Annie Oakley have been known to use Ithaca firearms. From 1916 until his death, John Philip Sousa used an Ithaca gold inlaid trap gun that became known as the “Sousa Grade.” Sousa was the president of the American Amateur Trapshooting Association, which was the forerunner to the Amateur Trapshooting Association (ATA). His famous trap gun can be viewed at the Trapshooting Hall of Fame and Museum at the ATA Headquarters located in Vandalia, Ohio.

During the 1980s, Ithaca Guns moved from Ithaca to King Ferry New York. It was later sold to a group of investors that quickly faced bankruptcy due to an environmental clean up project at the old facilities in Ithaca. Anticipating a being purchased by an investor in Rhode Island, Ithaca moved to a new facility in Auburn, New York in April 2005. The deal fell through and Ithaca Guns closed its doors on Memorial Day.

While purchasing an Ithaca shotgun at a gun store, Craig Marshall heard about the closing of Ithaca Guns. It was that fateful trip to a gun store that saved this legendary gun manufacturing company from closing its doors forever.

Click on the "Read More..." link below for more.

The U.S. Sportsmen's Alliance (USSA) is hosting a legislative candidate forum to allow Ohio sportsmen to meet with nominees for statewide and local offices including governor.

The reception will be March 14 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Athletic Club of Columbus. The Athletic Club is located at 136 E. Broad St. in downtown Columbus.

Candidates for governor, attorney general, secretary of state and other offices will be on hand to listen to sportsmen's concerns and ideas. Legislative candidates for the Ohio House of Representatives and Senate will also meet outdoorsmen.

"Ohio legislators have worked to ensure that sportsmen's dollars are spent, as intended, on conservation programs, and they have supported legislation to help promote newcomers to join the hunting ranks," said Tony Celebrezze USSA's director of state services. "Lawmakers support these proposals because their sportsmen constituents have expressed their views on these topics. The upcoming forum will provide sportsmen with an opportunity to prepare for future legislative initiatives by educating and discussing issues with candidates."

The 2006 candidate forum comes at an opportune time. Sportsmen can learn candidates' opinions about conservation issues before going to the polls for the primary election on May 2, 2006.