by Greg Ellifritz

One of the most common question I get from readers is "How do I choose the right AR-15 rifle?" The options are overwhelming to many new rifle shooters and lots of folks need some guidance. It really isn't all that hard. Here are some tips to get you set up right and save you some money in the process.

Brands

If you want an AR-15 don't buy the cheapest rifle you can find. The parted-out "Frankenguns" generally don't hold up well. Expect to pay somewhere in the neighborhood of $900-$1200 for a high quality new AR-15. For an entry-level rifle, consider brands like Colt, Smith and Wesson, Spike's Tactical, and Stag Arms. In my experience, the Colt and Smith and Wesson rifles tend to be the most reliable of the lower-priced AR-15s. Most Bushmaster, DPMS, and Rock River rifles also work well, but I see more problems with those rifles than the Colts or Smith and Wessons.

Deer-gun season remains open through Sunday, Dec. 8

COLUMBUS, OH – Hunters checked 22,620 white-tailed deer on Monday, Dec. 2, the opening day of Ohio's deer-gun hunting season, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources' (ODNR) Division of Wildlife.

The deer-gun season remains open through Sunday, Dec. 8. Hunters are encouraged to take to the field to enjoy the six days remaining in the deer-gun season. Hunting is the best and most effective management tool for maintaining Ohio's healthy deer population.

Approximately 420,000 hunters are expected to participate in this year's season. Find more information about deer hunting in the Ohio 2013-2014 Hunting and Trapping Regulations or at www.wildohio.com.

So far this season, hunters have harvested 109,932 deer compared to 113,107 at the same point in the season last year, which represents a 3% difference.

Outgoing New York Police Department Commissioner Ray Kelly has long been anti-gun. And, as a minion of anti-gun New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, he is, naturally, an outspoken proponent of Bloomberg's gun control initiatives and agenda. But guess what? When he leaves office and reverts back to just being an "average citizen," Kelly wants for himself, what he would quickly deny to you: Self-defense in the form of armed protection.

According to a NYmag.com article, Kelly has requested a team of six NYPD detectives to keep him and his family safe back in civilian life. And get this: it's reported that each detective would make $120,000 a year, and the taxpayers--the very ones he wants unarmed--will be required to pick up the entire bill!

The following letter to the editor of the Akron Beacon-Journal was written in response to that newspaper's editorial calling on legislators to support HB 203 (Concealed Carry & Self-Defense Law Reform) because of opposition from John Gilchrist, representing the Ohio Association of Chiefs of Police.

The editorial board noted that Gilchrist "emphasized that changing current Ohio law would be an invitation to trouble."

Following is the response written by Buckeye Firearms Association's Chad Baus, as published on November 26:

A Nov. 15 editorial ("Advice to retreat") cited testimony by John Gilchrist, legislative counsel to the Ohio Association of Chiefs of Police, in its reasons for encouraging legislators not to support House Bill 203, which would eliminate Ohio's "duty to retreat" from a life-threatening encounter.

by Chad D. Baus

Two home invasions in recent weeks have made headlines in Ohio.

WBNS (CBS Columbus) reported recently that a 69-year-old Vietnam veteran defended himself and his best friend during violent home invasion.

From the article:

Elec Reed and Ed Finnell have been best friends for nearly half of their lives.

"Eighty percent of the people in the neighborhood think we're real brothers, just the best of friends," explained Ed Finnell.

Several months ago, he had to watch helplessly as his friend was attacked by a stranger in their home.

"All the sudden, he locked the door and just started beating on us. As I say, we didn't have nothing for protection."

Something changed shortly after that incident.

"It made my partner decide to get a gun. He knows that I've been to Vietnam, so I can shoot pretty well for an old man."

He never expected he'd have to use it so soon.

by Jeff Knox

The Obama administration has proposed changes to regulations dealing with the transfer of legally owned full-auto guns and other restricted items like short-barreled rifles and silencers. Such items are legal, but controlled under the National Firearms Act of 1934, and are commonly referred to as NFA items.

Under current NFA regulations, an individual wishing to purchase an NFA item must submit to an extensive background check, pay a special $200 excise tax on each NFA item, and get the signature of his local "Chief Law Enforcement Officer" or CLEO – typically a sheriff or chief of police. While possession of NFA items is legal in almost all states, a number of CLEOs routinely block all transfers by simply refusing to sign off on any paperwork.

by Chad D. Baus

During debate on Ohio's original concealed carry law a decade ago, the Ohio State Highway Patrol, controlled by then-Gov. Bob Taft (R), voiced opposition to any law that would allow citizens a legal way to carry a concealed handgun in a motor vehicle.

On February 13, 2003, OSHP spokesperson John Born was quoted as saying "We do not want a loaded firearm readily accessible to the driver of a car. If there's a dangerous situation and you're in your car, you can drive off."

Pro-CCW activists actually started keeping a victim count of all the people who tried to follow his ridiculous advice - and coined a term for what often happened to people who tried to just "drive off" when attacked. We called it "getting Borned."

During the lengthy fight against Born, the OSHP and Taft to get passage of the bill that finally brought concealed carry to the Buckeye State (HB12), at least two men died (see here and here) trying to follow Born's advice.

COLUMBUS, OH – Deer-gun season, one of Ohio's most revered hunting traditions, begins Monday, Dec. 2, with 30 more minutes of prime hunting time each day, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR). Ohio’s deer-gun season is open through Sunday, Dec. 8.

Hunting time is extended 30 minutes for all deer-gun seasons. Hunters were already allowed to hunt deer 30 minutes before sunrise, and this year an additional 30 minutes has been added after sunset for gun seasons.

"We are eager to increase opportunities for Ohio's sportsmen and women," said ODNR Director James Zehringer. "Ohio is a top 10 whitetail hunting destination, and the extra half-hour after sunset will give hunters more opportunities to bag a deer."

Deer hunting in Ohio continues to be a popular activity for many who enjoy the outdoors. The ODNR Division of Wildlife anticipates 80,000-90,000 deer will be harvested during the weeklong hunt. Approximately 420,000 hunters are expected to participate in this year's season, including many out-of-state hunters. Hunters checked 86,964 deer in the 2012 weeklong deer-gun season.