Data recently released by the National Center for Health Statistics shows that in 2008, the number and per capita rate of accidental firearm deaths fell to an all-time low. There were 592 accidental firearm deaths (0.19 such accidents per 100,000 population) in 2008, as compared to 613 accidents (.20 per 100,000) in 2007. In 2008, the chance of a child dying in a firearm accident was roughly one in a million.

Firearm accidents accounted for 0.5% of all accidental deaths; well below the percentages accounted for by motor vehicle accidents, falls, fires, poisonings, and several other more common types of mishaps.

Firearm suicides rose in 2008 because total suicides rose, but the percentage of suicides accounted for by those misusing firearms remained steady, at just barely over half. This is down from about 60% during the 1980s and early 1990s. The firearm suicide rate remained at just under 6 per 100,000, as it has been every year from 1999 forward. Contrary to claims made recently by some gun control advocates, firearm suicides among children are extremely uncommon, and in 2008, fell to an all-time low.

The Cleveland Plain Dealer is reporting that a homeowner shot two juveniles who broke into his home and tried to steal items on Christmas Day.

From the article:

The teens were found with gunshot wounds to their legs outside a residence in the 3600 block of East 114th Street shortly after noon. They were arrested on suspicion of aggravated burglary and taken to MetroHealth Medical Center.

Police said the homeowner was inside when he heard his burglar alarm go off. The man retrieved his handgun and began to check around his property.

Police said the man saw two teenage boys inside his home trying to steal property, and he fired his gun toward them. The boys ran out of the home and police later found them. Two other teens who acted as lookouts fled the scene.

Under Ohio's Castle Doctrine law, if someone unlawfully enters an occupied home or temporary habitation, or occupied car, citizens have an initial presumption that they may act in self defense, and will not be second-guessed by the State.

Earlier this month, the Cleveland Plain Dealer reported that, in a recent fundraising letter addressed "Dear Fellow Gun Rights Activist," Ohio's Republican state treasurer touts himself as a "proud pro-gun candidate" for U.S. Senate.

From the article:

"When it comes to the defense of my own home and wife Ilana, I'm the proud owner of a Berretta handgun and a Marlin .22 caliber rifle," writes the Beachwood resident.

The letter includes the slogan "When Washington is broken ... Send in a Marine" -- a reference to Mandel's two tours of duty in Iraq. The letter also asks for campaign contributions of up to $2,500 to be mailed "right away" with a "Protect Gun Rights Reply Form."

"Endorsed by the NRA and the Buckeye Firearms Association throughout my career, my record of standing up for the Second Amendment speaks for itself," Mandel writes.

COLUMBUS, OH, December 21 – Governor John Kasich today issued an emergency rule reiterating that the statewide muzzleloader season for deer is January 7-10, as published in the 2011-12 Ohio Hunting and Trapping Regulations booklet.

The emergency rule was requested by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR), Division of Wildlife because the dates printed in the hunting regulations handbook were inconsistent with the Ohio Administrative Code.

The ODNR ensures a balance between wise use and protection of our natural resources for the benefit of all. Visit the ODNR Web site at www.ohiodnr.com.

The Elyria Chronicle-Telegram reported recently that a spate of violence in the area, combined with law-enforcement cutbacks and culminating in the shooting of a sheriff's deputy, is contributing to a boost in sales of firearms and a rise in concealed handgun license applications.

From the article:

The shooting of a sheriff's deputy in LaGrange Township on Monday night was the last straw for Dee and Dennis Telzerow of Pittsfield Township, who purchased a handgun Tuesday at Bullseye Firearms.

All in all, about 20 brand-new customers visited the gun shop on Tuesday compared with one or two unfamiliar customers on a normal day, said store owners Rick and Stephanie Guyeska.

For the Telzerows, the sights and sounds of cruisers rushing to the scene of the shooting Monday was quite frightening, they said.

"Not too long ago there were a couple break-ins not far from us, and with the cutbacks in law enforcement, I just think it's time to bear down and protect what you've got," Dennis Telzerow said.

By Chad D. Baus

While there is far too much to cover in a single article, we reflect on some of the important events of 2011.

January:

The year begins with a chorus of media editorials cheering the death of Senate Bill 239, the restaurant and car carry bill that was killed at the hands of then-Speaker Armond Budish (D), who broke a promise to gun owners and refused to call the legislature back into session and allow a vote on the legislation. Little do they know that a mirror copy of the bill, introduced within days of the editorial blitz, will be passed by the newly constituted, Republican-dominated legislature and signed into law just six months later.

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 Chad D. Baus

The City of Canton made national news earlier this year after Officer Daniel Harless threatened to "execute" a concealed handgun license holder at a traffic stop. It was clear from Harless' profanity-laced tirade, which was caught on dash cam video, that the officer doesn't support citizens having the kind of mind-set that might lead them to obtain a concealed handgun license.

But this month, a different Canton police office is thanking a citizen for having just that type of mind-set - and for saving his life.

According to The Canton Repository, Police Officer Tim Marks was being severly beaten by an attacker wielding the officer's own metal baton when a defense-minded citizen came to his aide:

From the article:

He kept swinging, blow after blow connecting with the officer's body as blood flowed from Marks' nose and mouth and his thoughts began to fade. Marks remembers feeling sleepy and his brain screaming, "I need help now! I need help now!"

His gun was out of reach, but Marks had the presence of mind to pull his assailant as close as possible to make the blows less intense, something he learned in self-defense training.

He figured he might wake up in the intensive care unit in a month.

"I'm praying for help," Marks said of the moment. "I've got fear, anger, adrenaline. I'm seeing a hospital, a grave stone. This is how it ends for me."

As he felt himself begin to fade, he said, "out of nowhere, someone tackles this dude. Out of nowhere!"

The article goes on to describe the reason Marks had detained his attacker in the first place, before giving details of the attack:

MILWAUKEE, WI - On September 18, 2010 five law abiding Wisconsin residents were peacefully having dinner at a Culver's Restaurant in Madison, Wisconsin. These five individuals, who were legally openly carrying as provided by Wisconsin law had finished their dinner and were preparing to leave the restaurant when they were unlawfully detained by a mass of Madison police officers.

Despite the absence of reasonable suspicion or probable cause of any crime or violation, Madison police illegally demanded identification from the men under the threat of arrest if they did not comply. Two individuals who chose not to comply with the illegal action of the Madison police were subsequently arrested and cited for obstruction. Two days later those unlawfully issued citations were rescinded and all five men, even those who complied with the officers illegal demands were issued citations for disorderly conduct.

Buckeye Firearms Foundation announced an effort to help the Wisconsin five pay for legal fees to fight the charges against them, to which BFF had already committed $2500 in matching funds.

Supporters responded immediately. By the end of the following day, more than twice the original goal of $2500 was raised, and on Wednesday Sept. 29, 2010 a check for $7,500 was mailed to Wisconsin Carry Inc.

On May 5th of 2011, the frivolous disorderly conduct charges against all five men were dropped.

Wisconsin Carry, Inc. a non-profit corporation dedicated to protecting and advancing the right of Wisconsinites to carry in the manner of their choosing, open or concealed, filed a federal lawsuit against the City of Madison and the five Madison Police officers who participated in the unlawful detainment and treatment of these five individuals. A copy of that lawsuit is available here:

http://www.wisconsincarry.org/pdf/Madison5/lawsuit.pdf

Yesterday, a judgment of $10,000 against the City of Madison and five Madison police officers was agreed to by Wisconsin Carry, Inc. and our five co-plaintiffs. This judgment will be entered into the record of the Federal District Court, Western Wisconsin.

by Jim Irvine and Chad D. Baus

Last week, anti-gun New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg's Joyce Foundation-funded gun control group, Mayors Against Illegal Guns (MAIG), staged a press conference to hype the group's latest effort to institute a new level of gun control on law-abiding citizens. But while he supports the gun control efforts, even the City of Cleveland's Public Safety Director admits the proposed legislation wouldn't stop illegal sales.

According to The Washington Post, billionaire Bloomberg spent $290,000 of New York City taxpayers' money on yet another "undercover investigation" staged far beyond the borders of his city.

In local coverage, The Cleveland Plain Dealer, citing a MAIG press release, reported that "investigators" contacted 27 "unlicensed dealers" in Ohio and found that 10 agreed to sell guns to prospective buyers who said they would likely fail a background check.

Investigators reportedly asked to meet five of the 10 sellers in person, and bought four handguns and an "assault rifle" with cash.

MAIG is using the "investigation," which was not conducted by law enforcement but rather by private investigators, to argue for passage of legislation which would require background checks for any firearms transaction, even those between private individuals, family members, etc.