By Chad D. Baus

The Cleveland Plain Dealer is reporting that Ohio Supreme Court Justice Maureen O'Connor will run next year for chief justice, the state's highest judicial post, and that a potential GOP primary challenge could be in the works if former Attorney General Jim Petro also decides to run.

Reduced-cost deer permits show results

COLUMBUS, OH - Ohio hunters may again have the opportunity to use reduced-cost deer permits if a proposed regulation is accepted by the Ohio Wildlife Council in April, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife.

Under the proposal, hunters could again buy antlerless deer permits at reduced prices for hunting in an urban zone, participating in a Division of Wildlife-authorized controlled hunt or hunting during the September 27 to November 30 portion of the deer season. The Division is again proposing the deadline for using the antlerless permit be extended to December 6 for those hunting in Zone C. Cost of the antlerless deer permit remains $15.

Larry S. Moore

Any discussion of traveling with firearms usually involves the legal transportation of firearms and the duty of the CHL holder to inform law enforcement if the holder is carrying. Some discussion centers on the best gun cases or range bags for use.

Like most CHL holders, target shooters and hunters, I suspect, I gave little consideration to how my firearms were secured in a vehicle. Certainly I followed all the laws and I use quality cases. Decisions on how I packed them into my truck or camper, however, centered on what was convenient for the trip.

My considerations have changed significantly since December 6, 2008. That was the day I rolled both my truck and camper.

With President Barack Obama stating that his "urban agenda" includes reimposing the former federal ban on "assault weapons" and "large" magazines, it's out-of-date to refer to that law as it was known at the time--the Clinton Gun Ban.

On second thought, maybe not just yet.

In January, speaking at a meeting of the anti-gun U.S. Conference of Mayors, former president Bill Clinton took credit for the old ban, praised the Brady Campaign for continuing to lobby Congress for a new ban, and suggested that the mood in Washington might be more favorable toward a ban now than it had been during the last eight years.

Here's what Mr. Clinton had to say:

By Jim Irvine

Speaker of the House Armond Budish (D-8) has announced the committees for the 128th General Assembly. While the Democratic House leadership is noticeably pro-2nd Amendment, the Ohio Criminal Justice Committee (CJC) is not. This is of concern to gun owners because the CJC has been where gun bills are typically assigned.

After a bill is introduced, it is assigned to one of the committees. The committee members hear testimony, hold meetings with interested parties and work out any problems the original drafting of the bill contained. It is in the committee where terrible amendments are added to good bills (for example, this where the "no CCW permitted if any occupant of the car is under 18" provision was added back in HB12 days) and needed amendments are added to a bill (for example, this is where language improving laws pertaining to transportation of firearms was added in SB184). While it is possible to amend bills on the floor, the reality is that the lion's share of work is done in committee. Generally, a good committee will produce a better bill.

Looking at the House CJC, we see cause for concern.

By John Lott

Guns have figured frequently in "Boston Legal," with Denny Crane (William Shatner) using them defensively from time to time. Recently, in episode 3 of season 5 ("Dances with Wolves"), Denny fired a gun to defend himself from a robber who also had a gun. The robber was not really threatening, and as Denny's friend and fellow partner Alan Shore (James Spader) asked him: "Did you absolutely have to shoot [the robber]? Three times? In both feet?" Obviously the answer to all three questions was, "No."

I don't mind the humor in these shows. In fact, I laugh along with everyone else, but it would be interesting if those on the anti-gun side of this television firm (which is everyone else) would have similar fun poked at their own gun control views. Is it just not possible to think of similar jokes?

By Chad D. Baus

Recently, USA Today reported that a gang threat assessment compiled by federal officials estimates that criminal gangs in the United States have swelled to an estimated 1 million members responsible for up to 80% of crimes in communities across the nation.

Meanwhile, the Brady Campaign Against Gun Violence has released its 2008 State Scorecards, which grade states on how they are regulating law-abiding citizens' Second Amendment rights, rather than criminals'.

By Jeff Knox

It has been famously said and often repeated that the Constitution means what the Supreme Court says it means. While this statement is generally true, it is incomplete. Regardless of what the Supreme Court says, the Constitution ultimately means what the People believe it to mean.

So far in our history the Supreme Court has refrained from any interpretation of the Constitution that was so flagrantly at odds with the beliefs of the People that a serious, violent uprising ensued. But they may have come perilously close in last year's decision in DC v. Heller. In that case the Court unanimously agreed that the Second Amendment refers to an individual right to arms, but disagreed in a 5 – 4 split as to whether the District of Columbia's virtual ban on handguns violated that individual right. Even in the prevailing opinion, the justices expressed positions which are completely at odds with the understanding of those of us in the Second Amendment community.

By Chad D. Baus

In the past month, no less than four Ohio children, aged eleven, ten, eight and four, have injured or killed people with firearms. Two of the victims, aged eight and two, were shot by their respective siblings. One of the victims, shot by his eleven year-old neighbor, was seven. Three of the victims died of their injuries.

In all but one case (wherein a four year-old boy shot his 18 year-old babysitter with a shotgun because she had accidentally stepped on his foot) the shootings have been ruled accidental.

The typical reaction from the loudest voices in our society (the establishment media) will be to demand laws that regulate safe storage of firearms (at a minimum) or that make it tougher for people to own firearms at all (more likely). But we've tried it their way for long enough, and the results continue to be written in the blood of our children.

NEWTOWN, Conn. -- Despite a weak economy and slumping retail sales, firearm sales continued to increase in January, continuing an upswing that began after November's election.

Data from the FBI's National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) show background checks on the sale of firearms jumped 28.8 percent in January when compared to January 2008. The increase follows a 24 percent rise in December and a 42 percent jump in November, when a record 1,529,635 background checks were performed.

FBI background checks are required under federal law for all individuals purchasing firearms from federally licensed retailers. These checks serve as a strong indicator of actual sales.