By Gerard Valentino

Columbuslocalnews.com is reporting that Ohio's most rabidly anti-gun organization has begun staging prayer vigils to remind the community of the ravages of homicides and violent crime.

The Ohio Coalition Against Gun Violence, led by Toby Hoover, has a long and sorry history of dancing in the blood of murder victims. Their tactic of staging prayer vigils reaches a new low, as it exploits the family members and friends of homicide victims for political gain. Trotting out the victim's family after a homicide is the lowest form of political propaganda, and preys on people when they are at their most vulnerable.

If Toby's group waited until the family left for the funeral and robbed the house, it would show the same lack of basic decency as displaying grieving widows and orphans as though they are part of a circus freak show.

Moral outrage over such a complete lack of human dignity is warranted. And our disgust shouldn't only be directed at Toby Hoover's unthinkable act, because her propaganda is useless without the willing participation of the establishment news media.

On Election Day 2009, Ohio voters will be asked to decide on Issue 2, a ballot initiative which would amend the Ohio constitution to create a livestock board appointed by the governor that would set standards for livestock care in Ohio.

While Buckeye Firearms Association determined that this issue falls too far outside of our mission, others including the U.S. Sportsmen's Alliance, are supporting this issue out of the belief that Ohio farmers need protection from the number one anti-hunting group in the nation, the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS). On the other hand, some believe this board is a state power grab that could restrict the rights of Ohio farmers.

The Ohio Liberty Council, of which Buckeye Firearms Association is a member organization, believes it is important for voters to be as informed as possible about ballot issues before voting to amend the Ohio Constitution. As such, the Council, along with the Ohio Freedom Alliance, The Central Ohio 912 Project, and OSU Young Americans for Liberty, co-sponsored a town hall forum at the main campus of The Ohio State University on Monday, October 19.