When the 127th General Assembly was sworn in at the beginning of 2007, there were high hopes among gun owners. Although Republicans lost their super-majorities in both chambers of the legislature, Ohio voters had preserved a strong pro-gun majority in the House and Senate, and for the first time in recent memory, they had elected a truly pro-gun Governor in Democrat Ted Strickland.

More than half of the tenure of the 127th General Assembly is now over, and soon gun owners will once again be called upon to support their elected officials through volunteering, campaign donations, spreading the word to friends and family, etc.

Unfortunately, progress on several emergency action items and other pro-gun legislation has been incredibly slow, and unless significant progress is made in the coming months, it is highly unlikely that gun owners are going to be willing to pour their blood, sweat and tears into the 2008 campaigns.

The United States Concealed Carry Association (USCCA) is a national organization focusing on concealed carry. Their magazine is “Concealed Carry Magazine.” The latest issue is full of good information, including a Feature Article by Buckeye Firearms Association Legislative Chair Ken Hanson.

The League of Ohio Sportsmen will celebrate its 100th Anniversary with a Centennial Convention to be held February 15-17, 2008 in Columbus. The League was founded in 1908 by a coalition of Ohio sportsmen who were concerned with the plight of the state’s fish, wildlife and other natural resources.

In 1908 there were no deer or wild turkeys in Ohio. Fish populations in the state’s streams and rivers were depleted. Many common wildlife species of today were absent or at record lows. Very few conservation organizations in the United States have a longer tenure than the League of Ohio Sportsmen.

The Centennial Convention will highlight the history of the League and the magnificent conservation success stories over the last century while also looking into the future of hunting, fishing and wildlife conservation in Ohio.