By Gerard Valentino

Photo: Star-Banner

Gary Wroblewski is confined to a wheelchair and therefore an easy target for criminals. His physical limitations and lack of mobility are the type of weakness that cowards look for in an easy mark.

But, Mr. Wroblewski is anything but a helpless victim.

Instead, he took the time to arm himself and learn how to properly use his gun. That decision just might have saved his life on December 15th when home invaders decided to attack him inside his home.

From the story at Ocala.com:

The three men — Gonzales, Kenney and the teen — went to Wroblewski's Silver Springs Shores home to commit a home invasion/robbery.

The teen remained in the vehicle while Gonzalez and Kenney went to the home. Gonzalez knocked on the front door and asked Wroblewski for assistance with his car.

When the homeowner refused to come out, Kenney, hiding in the shrubs, barreled through the door and knocked Wroblewski, who uses a wheelchair, down.

As he was going down, Wroblewski fired shots at Kenney. One of the bullets fatally wounded the 24-year-old.

By Greg R. Lawson

Rush Limbaugh has won a knock down drag out contest over such anti-hunters as Ingrid Newkirk and Cass Sunstein to become the number one villain of hunters and anglers in 2009.

No, El Rushbo may not be twirling a handlebar moustache anytime soon, but he did manage to come out on top in Field and Stream's 2009 "Hunting and Fishing Heroes and Villains Face Off." This very amusing, tongue in cheek website feature matched up some of America's leading defenders and opponents of hunting into a single elimination tournament to see who are both the top hero and the top villain for outdoor sports this year.

In the shocking final round, Rush knocked off PETA founder Ingrid "a rat is a pig is a dog is a boy" Newkirk who had advanced to the final by overwhelming the new "Regulatory Czar" Cass Sunstein.

How did this happen?

Well, the author did a great job explaining his position in this follow up piece at Field and Stream.

Buckeye Firearms' supporters know that the easiest way to guarantee pro-gun office holders is to guarantee pro-gun candidates on the ballot. From the standpoint of our endorsement committee, nothing is sweeter than being able to recommend support for every choice on the ballot. The November 2010 Ohio AG race has the potential to be a choice between two great firearm supporters, or a life and death struggle between an affirmed anti-gunner and a proven pro-gunner.

Obviously we would prefer two great pro-gun choices on the AG ballot come November, but that can only happen if pro-gun Prosecutor Dave Yost defeats anti-gun, Brady-endorsed Mike DeWine in the Spring GOP primary.

The voices of sportsmen were heard loud and clear by United Airlines as the company made the decision to change a new policy that would have banned antlers from being allowed onto any flight.

As previously reported, sportsmen from coast to coast were enraged as it became known United Airlines had quietly initiated a policy preventing passengers from carrying on or checking antlers or animal horns of any kind.

After receiving thousands of complaints from sportsmen, who were informed by the U.S. Sportsmen's Alliance (USSA), through Bowsite.com, and from many other concerned organizations, United Airlines has reconsidered this policy. In a message sent to the USSA and other organizations, United stated:

As you have recently contacted us, I wanted you to be the first to know that we have heard our customers' feedback about our Antler and Animal Horn policy, and are responding. Soon we will begin accepting Antlers and Animal Horns as checked baggage again.

By Chad D. Baus

In the words of Columbus Dispatch reporter Martin Rozenman (mrozenman@dispatch.com), a home invasion "went wrong" the day after Christmas when the intended victim fought back, shooting one of his attackers and inflicting what Columbus Police Sgt. Eric Pilya said were life-threatening wounds.

By Chad D. Baus

Amidst continued reverberations from the worst campus shooting in our nation's history at Virginia Tech in 2007 came news of yet another shooting on a "no-guns" Virginia campus earlier this month.

According to news reports, as 20 year-old James Michael Hamilton stood at the entrance to his math classroom with a long black canvas bag at his side, oblivious classmates filed into a classroom, apparently giving nary a thought to what was in the bag, or why Hamilton had suddenly decided to reappear at the class after having been absent for several weeks.

Although at least one student reportedly questioned Hamilton about what he was doing, ("I'm waiting for her", came the ominous answer), there are no reports of any students deciding not to enter the class, or calling 911 to report his suspicious behavior. Even the teacher apparently passed Hamilton and entered the classroom without pause.

Just as class was about to get underway, Hamilton stood in the doorway, drew a Marlin bolt action hunting rifle chambered in 30.06 from the black canvas bag, and fired a round at his teacher. As he cycled the action, news reports say the teacher instructed students to "run" (it isn't clear where the teacher expected the defenseless students to go, since Hamilton was blocking the door, and dove underneath her desk. He entered the room and, standing just five feet from the teacher, fired again.

Perhaps the only reason "James Michael Hamilton" is not a household name today is because of what happened next...

By Bill Brassard

Preliminary statistics released by the FBI for the first half of 2009 show that violent crime continues a downward trend that began in 2006. The figures show crime falling in all categories--robbery, aggravated assault, motor vehicle thefts, etc.--with murders down a remarkable 10 percent from the previous year.

The FBI statistics undermine a favorite argument of anti-gun groups and some mainstream media that "more guns equal more crime," especially when you consider that the decrease in violent crime from late 2008 through the first half of 2009 occurred at the same time that firearm sales were surging.

By Chad D. Baus

I don't know exactly how long Colleen Long has been employed by the Associated Press, but if the journalist publishes many more facts that expose the lies of the gun control movement, I expect she'll be visiting the unemployment lines very soon.

In an article noting an increase in the number of officers killed in the line of duty by gunfire in 2009, Long departed from the anti-gun media template by providing a great deal of perspective on the increase.

Merry Christmas to one and all from all of us at Buckeye Firearms Association.

Our best gift is the friendship and support given by each of you throughout the year.

As we reflect on the year's passing, we count our many blessings, remember our losses, and give thanks for those who helped us through it all.

We each need to take time to appreciate our friends and family during this special time of year. They are the reason we work so hard to make our world a better place to live.

From all of us to all of you – enjoy a great holiday season. Here's hoping Santa brings each of you your very own "official Red Ryder carbine action two-hundred shot range model air rifle with a compass in the stock and this thing that tells time" (or the firearm of YOUR heart's desire).

Editorial: 'Is there no end to the irrational prejudice against Red Ryder and his peacemaker?'

By Rick Jones

As we celebrate the Christmas season, I remember the days of my youth. Reminiscing about the good times and bad, the gift I always wanted and got, and those that I did receive and didn't like. Most everyone has those memories of Christmases gone by.

Seems that I cannot remember not being involved with the shooting sports - training, plinking, and hunting. In general, good times were had by all while shooting rifles, pistols, and shotguns.

My grandmother taught me the basics of shooting, safety, and how to clean up after a training session. Mamaw was an old Kentucky gal who also grew up learning how to shoot. And boy could she ever shoot.