by Chad D. Baus

According to Gallup's annual crime poll, Americans' support for stricter gun-control laws has gradually declined over the last two decades. Sales of firearms have skyrocketed in the past four years. And the birth of freedom-minded grassroots political groups serves as even further evidence of support for the U.S. Constitution, which includes the individual right to bear arms.

But while a growing majority of people feel strongly about the need to protect our Second Amendment rights, many aren't at all familiar with firearms, or with the details of the ongoing threat our rights. It is our continuing goal to help educate readers on some of the topics that freedom-loving Americans in the 21st century need to know.

Click here to read Lesson #25, Are you a new gun owner or are you considering it? Become familiar with firearms, find training and more.

Things haven't been very good for President Obama lately. [Last] week, Congress heard from witnesses concerning his administration's fatal failures related to the September 11, 2012, attack on our consulate in Benghazi, Libya. Not buying into the make-believe nonsense that Obama has improved America's standing among terrorists devoted to our destruction, jihadists recently attacked the Boston Marathon. The unemployment rate has decreased by only 0.4 percentage point since January.

And then there are the things that Obama really cares about. Perhaps symbolically, [last] week, Republican senators Bob Corker (Tenn.) and Saxby Chambliss (Ga.) defeated Obama and Sen. Mark Udall (D-Colo.) in a game of golf. Likewise, reporters have been suggesting that the defeat of Obama's gun control agenda in the Senate puts his political clout in as much doubt as his golf prowess.

Columbus Dispatch editorial cartoon, 5/8/13

Adding to the bad news for the Obama agenda, a report issued by the Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS-a component of the Justice Department) shows that firearm homicides in general, and violence at schools, have decreased substantially during the last two decades; the percentage of homicides committed with firearms has decreased; and only a tiny percentage of state prison inmates imprisoned for gun offenses obtain their guns from gun shows. As the Washington Post's Jennifer Rubin characterizes it, the report is "wonderful news for the country and rotten data for anti-gun advocates."

To make matters worse for Obama, the story has been picked up by some heavy hitters in the national news media. In an article for U.S. News and NBCNews.com, veteran reporter Pete Williams points out that the BJS report shows that 40 percent of criminals get their guns from friends and family members, and another 37 percent get theirs from theft or other illegal sources. Lest gun control advocates accuse the BJS or Williams of having a pro-gun political agenda, Williams notes that "The report is strictly factual."

In his article for the Washington Post, Jerry Markon says that while "gun shows were central" to the recent debate in the U.S. Senate over expanding background checks to cover private firearm transactions, "Less than 1 percent of state prison inmates who possessed a gun when they committed their offense obtained the firearm at a gun show," according to the report. (To be precise, the figure reported by the BJS is 0.8 percent.)

On May 8, the U.S. Senate took up consideration of S. 601, the "Water Resources Development Act of 2013." During the debate, Sen. Tom Coburn (R-Okla.) offered an amendment to extend the Right to Carry to lands administered by the Army Corps of Engineers.

The Corps manages over 11.7 million acres, including many recreational areas. In 2009, Congress passed legislation protecting the Right to Carry in national parks and wildlife refuges, but lands under Corps of Engineers management are not covered by that law.

With strong bipartisan support for the amendment, the final vote was 56-43. However, under the rules for consideration of the bill, 60 votes were required for passage.

On the same day, the House Veterans Affairs Committee voted to approve a provision to require a judge or magistrate to declare that a person who receives veterans' benefits is a danger to himself or to others, before the person can be prohibited from possessing or acquiring firearms.

by Jim Irvine

The Cleveland Plain Dealer has an interesting series called "PolitiFact," where they look at past events/statements and follow up on them to see how they look after some time has passed. I like the idea, and have found many of these to be quite interesting and informative. Recently the newspaper took a look at Governor John Kasich (R) and his statements that he made in support of the Second Amendment while campaigning for the office of Governor.

The "Kasich-O-Meter" takes a look at Kasich's campaign statement that he would "oppose restrictions on gun rights."

They quote Kasich as saying:

"I believe in the 2nd Amendment. Everybody has the right to keep and bear arms to either protect your family, protect yourselves, to be a hunter. The 2nd amendment is part of that Constitution. It's something I believe in. And, we're going to stand firm, very firm, for 2nd Amendment rights here in the state of Ohio.

The Plain Dealer does properly note that Governor Kasich has signed three good gun bills in his first two years. HB54, sponsored by Representative Ron Maag corrected the defect in Ohio's restoration statutes. Now our restorations are honored by the federal government and are effective. SB17, sponsored by Senator Tim Schaffer, allowed CHL holders to carry firearms in locations that serve alcohol, provided the license holder is not under the influence and not consuming any alcohol. HB495 sponsored by Representative Terry Johnson eliminated the "demonstrated competency" requirement for renewals and corrected an incorrect definition of a loaded firearm in a vehicle. All three bills contained very important improvements for Ohio gun owners.

Kasich did not sign any anti-gun legislation, nor did he veto any pro-Second Amendment legislation. One could note that he didn't have the chance to, which is correct. But if we are taking a full look at his actions, it must also be noted that he did not play political games to delay/kill good legislation. Neither did he work to have legislators kill good amendments or insert bad amendments, a common tactic when a governor is anti-gun, but too much of a coward to admit his true feelings (e.g. Bob Taft).

MB Studio Productions is dedicated to the preservation of our constitutional rights, and has combined this dedication with a passion for production and entertainment, with a goal of using moving media to support the Second Amendment.

This is the first of several Public Service Announcements MB Studio Productions will be producing to demonstrate who gun laws really affect and why they don't work.

by Chad D. Baus

According to Gallup's annual crime poll, Americans' support for stricter gun-control laws has gradually declined over the last two decades. Sales of firearms have skyrocketed in the past four years. And the birth of freedom-minded grassroots political groups serves as even further evidence of support for the U.S. Constitution, which includes the individual right to bear arms.

But while a growing majority of people feel strongly about the need to protect our Second Amendment rights, many aren't at all familiar with firearms, or with the details of the ongoing threat our rights. It is our continuing goal to help educate readers on some of the topics that freedom-loving Americans in the 21st century need to know.

Firearms – Safety & Education

"I'm unfamiliar with guns. I want to change that. Where should I go?"

The April 2013 NSSF-adjusted National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) figure of 1,185,231 is an increase of 27.2 percent over the NSSF-adjusted NICS figure of 931,660 in April 2012. For comparison, the unadjusted April 2013 NICS figure of 1,702,455 reflects a 20.2 percent increase from the unadjusted NICS figure of 1,416,074 in April 2012.

This marks the 35th straight month that NSSF-adjusted NICS figures have increased when compared to the same period the previous year.

The adjusted NICS data were derived by subtracting out NICS purpose code permit checks used by several states such as Kentucky, Iowa and Michigan for CCW permit application checks as well as checks on active CCW permit databases.

Though not a direct correlation to firearms sales, the NSSF-adjusted NICS data provide a more accurate picture of current market conditions. In addition to other purposes, NICS is used to check transactions of firearms sales and transfers on new and used handguns and long guns.

by Jim Irvine

Since the killings at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut, states like New York, Colorado and Connecticut have passed drastic anti-freedom laws aimed at restricting the rights of law-abiding citizens. None of those restrictions would stop a killer in a movie theater or inside a school from walking into the next room of innocent victims.

Because firearms were a large part of our nation's birth, many firearms-related businesses have their roots in the formally friendly environment of our first states. Times, they are a changin'.

While other states are driving businesses away, Ohio is working to bring those same businesses here. Representative Ron Maag (R) and Governor John Kasich are being proactive in reaching out to firearms-related companies and show them why a move to Ohio makes sense.

Following is a press release that was issued recently by Rep. Ron Maag:

Rep. Maag Works to Encourage Gun Manufacturing in Ohio

Representative Ron Maag (R-Lebanon) is working with the office of Ohio Governor John Kasich to encourage gun manufacturing companies to explore opportunities in Ohio.

The Coalition Promoting Freedom is holding its 2nd annual Bake Sale/Lemonade Stand "Freedom Day" on Saturday, May 11th, 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m., at the Fin-Feather-Fur in Ashland.

Celebrating America's freedom will include supporting and promoting the Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, the Right to Bear Arms. Donations only for baked goods (some gluten free) and lemonade.

The "Freedom" is free! All donations will go to the Buckeye Firearms Association (BFA). The BFA is a grassroots political action committee (PAC) here in Ohio dedicated to defending and advancing the right of Ohio citizens to own and use firearms for all legal activities. The Coalition is choosing to donate to BFA because of their dedication to defending Ohioans firearms rights and their recent organization of the Armed Teacher Training Program.

The Buckeye Firearms Foundation paid $30,000 to train 24 educators; more than 1,400 had applied for the training. The three-day course taught participants tactical maneuvers for reacting to school shooters. As part of the program, educators used model guns with plastic pellets while playing roles in gunman scenarios based on real-life situations.

More information is available at www.thecoalitionashland.org or call 419-652-3847.

by Chad D. Baus

The establishment media, which repeatedly asserted that the horrific attack on a school in Newtown, CT meant that gun control was inevitable, are still reeling from the defeat of the anti-gun Manchin-Toomey amendment that sought to make Chuck Schumer's gun control bill, S. 469, palatable to more Senators.

Their attempts to make the undesirable "inevitable" having failed, the media are clearly working together on to a new angle to try and pressure pro-gun rights Senators into caving.

Since the vote on late April, article after article has been published, all claiming that polls taken since the vote show that public sentiment is clearly in favor of more gun control, that the NRA overplayed their hand by blocking these "common sense" measures, and that Senators who voted to stop S. 469 are going to pay the ultimate political price.