FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 15, 2007

(Columbus) – Ohio legislators were reminded Tuesday night that sportsmen are an active, voting constituency that wants to work with elected officials to protect and advance wildlife conservation in the Buckeye State.

Nearly 140 leaders of Ohio hunting, trapping and fishing groups demonstrated the power of the sportsmen’s movement when they gathered at the Columbus Athletic Club with state legislators during the U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance Legislative Reception on March 13. Each of the 35 lawmakers who attended, including event co-hosts, Sen. Steve Buehrer, R-Delta; Sen. Joy Padgett, R-Coshocton; and Rep. Bob Latta, R-Bowling Green, fielded questions and listened to opinions of conservation leaders and wildlife professionals from their districts.

“Sportsmen are the backbone of the conservation movement and lawmakers who attended the reception recognize that fact,” said Rick Story, U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance senior vice president. “The legislature relies on sportsman constituents to share their concerns about conservation issues. All Ohio sportsmen are encouraged to form and foster relationships with their legislators and share their views on issues that impact hunting and fishing.”

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Editor's Note: The following letter was submitted to the Toledo Blade in response to an op-ed written by the John Shanks, Director of the Law Enforcement Relations for the Brady Center to Prevent Gun Violence. True to form, Shanks jumped at the opportunity to dance in the blood of a slain Toledo police officer, who died despite a plethora of failed Toledo gun control laws. The anti-gun Blade has not seen fit to publish this rebuttal.

To the editors:

The op ed piece by Mr. John Shanks, Director of the Law Enforcement Relations for the Brady Center to Prevent Gun Violence published this weekend leaves a disturbing tone and lack of content for the reader.

Under current law both suspects charged with the heinous crime of killing of Toledo Police Detective Keith Dressel were prohibited from legally buying handguns. I find it interesting that in fact both of these suspects apparently violated most of the Toledo firearms laws and neither has been charged with these violations, now or for their past violations. Why?

Click on 'Read More' for the entire letter.