By Jim Irvine

Thursday May 18

I arrived in Milwaukee this morning for the NRA’s 2006 Annual Meetings. The theme this year is “Freedom’s 2nd Army.” Each of you is part of that army. I will update this story as the weekend progresses. I also encourage you to listen in on NRANews.com.

Today the exhibitors were finishing their set up to be ready for this weekends crouds. I had the opportunity to visit NRANews.com and talk with Cam Edwards, John Popp, Joel and Ginny. A great group of people who really enjoy their work and produce a terrific product.

I watched Cam talk with Mike McCarville, NRA-ILA contact Ashley Varner and Royal Wade Kimes who will be performing at this year's events. He wrote the song, “In my Land”, the 2nd Amendment anthem.

The show will be normal hours on Friday, but will have also cover large sections of the meetings and including lots of special coverage Saturday. Cam has a non-stop lineup of guest that are sure to capture your interest.

Tonight was the NRA Foundation Banquet. Over 800 people enjoyed dinner and participated in a live auction, silent auctions, and lots of special games. All proceeds go to the NRA Foundation which supports many education and scholarship programs. A great time for a great cause.

Click on 'Read More' for updates details.

Rep. Steve Buehrer's Castle Doctrine/ Stand Your Ground legislation, HB541, has been added to the House Criminal Justice Committee's agenda for May 23 at 2:30 p.m. in Statehouse Room 121.

The purpose for Tuesday's hearing is so that the committee may hear testimony on HB541 from proponents and opponents of the legislation, and other interested parties. Ken Hanson, Buckeye Firearms Association's Legislative Chair, will be on hand to offer testimony.

Filling hearing rooms as this legislation moves forward will make a serious statement of support. Your presence at this meeting is beneficial to the cause. Please consider making the trip to Columbus to be a visible show of support for HB541 and its sponsor, Rep. Steve Buehrer.

For more information on HB541, see: Ohio considers measure to modernize self-defense laws.

Buckeye Firearms Association leaders will be on hand.

For more information on HB347, see: Sub H.B. 347 Introduced (DETAILED SUMMARY).

Click on 'Read More' to learn why YOUR HELP IS NEEDED TODAY!

By Chad D. Baus

In commentary that appeared this week in the Dayton Daily News, staff writer Martin Gottlieb provides an alleged history of Ted Strickland on the gun issue.

The op-ed begins like this:

Ted Strickland is supposed to be a different kind of Democrat. That image is built largely around the gun issue. The shorthand description
of Strickland in the national media is generally some version of "pro-gun Democrat."

And one fan the other day was quoted in the media as calling Strickland a "gun-toting Democrat."

All of which is little bit funny to somebody who remembers how Strickland's strict anti-control position emerged.

Gottlieb goes on to say that during a Congressional campaign in 1992, "Strickland said that, while he didn't personally have any problem with gun control, he felt that his would-be constituents in rural Ohio did. And he thought he should honor their views." Later during that same campaign season, Gottlieb notes that Republicans dug up and used a Strickland quote from a 1976 campaign - "I
personally do not like guns and I do not own a gun."

Strickland was elected, and as Gottlieb records, his voting record in Washington on behalf of gun owners has been flawless.

The article ends with this:

What's interesting now is that the notion of Ted Strickland as somebody who doesn't like guns has disappeared — completely.

By Linda Walker

The Senate Criminal Justice committee heard additional testimony for HB347 on Wednesday. This hearing, like last week's at which Larry Moore testified on behalf of Buckeye Firearms Assoc., was for proponent, opponent and all interested parties. The hearing wrapped up with 5 individuals giving testimony.

Less than compelling opponent testimony was given by gun ban extremist Toby Hoover, representing her "coalition of two", the Ohio Coalition Against Gun Violence. The usual rhetoric was presented by the head puppetmaster. Over and over again legislators heard the same cries..., "for the safety of officers", "out of respect for the officers", "people have the right to know there's a gun in the car", "this bill will make it easier for people carry weapons", "preemption", "murder, suicide.....,"! It's endless with the tales these people twist this House Bill into.

Ultimately, Toby wrapped up her tale of woes with commenting "that the only difference between a law-abiding citizen and a criminal is one bad decision". What a low opinion of humanity she possess that she equates law-abiding citizens so close to the criminal mind!

Click on 'Read More' for the full hearing summary and information on WHAT YOU CAN DO to help get HB347 voted out of committee.