By Chad D. Baus

Two Ohio area television affiiates have recently aired informative, unbiased stories on carrying concealed weapons for self-defense, and related issues.

On November 5, WCPO, Cincinnati's ABC affiliate, published a report entitled "Some Women Turning To Guns For Peace Of Mind", which documents a former robbery victim's progress from defenseless victim to becoming a trained gun owner and Ohio concealed handgun license-holder.

Background checks on the sale of firearms were up 4.3 percent in October, according to data released by the FBI's National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS).

A total of 1,233,982 checks were reported for the month, up from 1,183,279 in October 2008. The 2009 year-to-date total for background checks is 11,403,417, an increase of 18.1 percent over the same time period last year.

By Jim Irvine

It is with sadness that I report that November 15, 2009 will be the last Firearms Forum show on WHK, AM 1420.

It has been a tremendous experience and I thank all who have listened, called, or sent email about the show. Through the show I have been able to meet many patriots dedicated to protect and restore our Second Amendment right.

I will be joined on the final show by John Benner and Ron Borsch, two of the nations leading experts on multiple victim killings. This is a show that I have wanted to do for many months, and last week's shootings in Ft. Hood and Orlando make this topic extremely relevant. Those outside the Cleveland area can listen online.

According to two polls released this week by the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute, "the Democratic wave that swept through Ohio in 2006 and 2008 may be cresting."

Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland's lead over former Congressman and Fox News show host John Kasich in the 2010 race for reelection has evaporated into a 40 - 40 percent tie, with Ohio voters seeing the possible Republican challenger as better able to handle rebuilding the state economy and handling the budget.

The latest survey marks a substantial swing in momentum since September, when the university found Strickland with a 10 point lead.

The 8th Ohio District Court of Appeals has sided with Cleveland in the city's fight to enforce its illegal local gun control ordinances.

A three judge panel has declared that Ohio R.C 9.68 - which became law in 2007 with passage of HB347 to preempt local gun control and ensure statewide uniformity of gun laws - is unconstitutional.

Buckeye Firearms Foundation Treasurer Gerard Valentino was again published nationally, this time at WorldNetDaily.com.

As a veteran who served at Fort Hood, Valentino has an interesting perspective on how the massacre there fit the same pattern as every other spree killing in a gun-free zone.

Valentino makes the point that soldiers, when disarmed, are no different than students or co-workers left at the whim of killers.

Click here to read Valentino's op-ed, entitled "Let soldiers pack heat on post".

By John Lott

Shouldn't an army base be the last place where a terrorist should be able to shoot at people uninterrupted for 10 minutes? After all, an army base is filled with soldiers who carry guns, right? Unfortunately, that is not the case. Beginning in March 1993, under the Clinton administration, the army forbids military personnel from carrying their own personal firearms and mandates that "a credible and specific threat against [Department of the Army] personnel [exist] in that region" before military personnel "may be authorized to carry firearms for personal protection." Indeed, most military bases have relatively few military police as they are in heavy demand to serve in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The unarmed soldiers could do little more than cower as Major Nidal Malik Hasan stood on a desk and shot down into the cubicles in which his victims were trapped. Some behaved heroically, such as private first class Marquest Smith who repeatedly risked his life removing five soldiers and a civilian from the carnage. But, being unarmed, these soldiers were unable to stop Hasan's attack.

Not long ago Buckeye Firearms Foundation challenged our supporters to help us raise $30,000 so we could defend gun-rights at the Supreme Court.

As usual, gun owners from Ohio, from across the United States and even from around the world didn't disappoint and we are now thrilled to announce that we've achieved our goal. In fact, we exceed our goal and are still receiving donations.

Buckeye Firearms Association leader Linda Walker was in attendance Thursday, November 5, as State Representatives Danny R. Bubp (R-West Union) and Jarrod B. Martin (R-Beavercreek) gave sponsor testimony in support of House Bill 203 before the Public Safety and Homeland Security Committee. The bill would allow Ohioans who possess a concealed carry permit to go into restaurants with a liquor license, so long as the person carrying the weapon is not consuming alcohol.

Under current law, a concealed carry licensee wanting to patronize a restaurant that serves alcohol must secure his firearm in his vehicle, leaving the weapon vulnerable to theft.

"Ohio is one of only eight states that prohibit individuals with a concealed carry license from carrying in a restaurant where liquor is served," Bubp said. "A licensed individual can have a cheeseburger and fries at McDonald's while legally carrying a firearm, but if he has a cheeseburger and fries at the Applebee's across the street, he is committing a felony."

Editor's Note: Just hours before he cast a vote in favor of nationalized health care, Congressman Zack Space had a meeting with constituents regarding his pending vote. Buckeye Firearms Association volunteer Jason Mihalick attended the meeting, and brought up the concerns about the health care bill opening the backdoor to gun control. Following is his summary of the meeting:

By Jason Mihalick

On Thursday, November 5, 2009 thousands and thousands of citizens took time from their work and their families to drive hundreds of miles to stand on the west lawn of the U.S. Capitol Building united in opposition to the 1900+ page healthcare tome that Congress says is "To provide affordable, quality healthcare for all Americans and reduce the growth in health care spending, and for other purposes".