2007 – The year in review

By Jim Irvine

While there is far too much to cover in a single article, we reflect on some of the important events of 2007.

January:
The year started with the swearing in of Governor Strickland (D) finally giving us a friend in the Governor’s mansion. Strickland quickly showed hunters he was a friend by appointing Sean Logan to head the ODNR. Soon Anthony Celebrezze was added to the team. These friends would soon pay dividends to Ohio gun owners.

February:
A killer goes to a “gun free” Trolly Square mall and opens fire. He is stopped by an off-duty police officer who is carrying a concealed firearm. Anti-gun New York mayor Mike Bloomberg is suspected breaking federal laws in his so-called sting on Ohio gun shops. He was never charged for those crimes.

March:
HB347 takes effect 90 days after Governor Taft’s veto was overridden. Ohio has uniform laws throughout the state. Cleveland’s Mayor Jackson holds a press conference to cry that he can no longer stop criminals. He and Chief McGrath refuse to answer questions about how often they prosecute criminals. Months later, we learn why.

Ken Hanson’s second edition of “The Ohio Guide to Firearms Laws” is released. It outlines Ohio’s new laws including improvements with “plain sight” problems. Purse carry is now permitted, but many other traps remain.

Buckeye Firearms CCW wallet cards are introduced. Students and instructors love them and demand remains strong.

April:
The Buckeye Blast is a huge success with State Representatives Danny Bubp, Joe Uecker and U.S. Congresswomen Jean Schmidt joining us for a fun day of shooting.

Ohio’s Sixth district appeals court reverses it’s ruling and strikes down a local park ban on concealed carry.

Students are killed on Virginia Tech’s “gun free” campus. Police can’t stop the killer. School brags that they “feel safe” while anti-gun groups try to exploit their failed ideas with even worse ones.

A Cleveland man defends his life with his concealed handgun, shooting a 15 year old thug. The Plain Dealer fails to meet basic journalistic standards, but the community understands the issues, and they respond in force.

The ODNR announces changes to their rules that will allow hunters to carry a concealed handgun while hunting.

May:
After Representative Michael DeBose has his life threatened, he understands concealed carry and the need to defend life. Buckeye Firearms volunteers help DeBose and those close to him obtain training needed for their CHL’s.

The Gun Rights Leadership Council is a success, with groups from three states meeting to learn how to become even more effective.

June:
Buckeye Firearms gets a new address. Microsoft donates $100,000 to anti-gun HSUS. Sandusky registrar editor Matt Westerhold declares war on gun owners printing names from a five county area in his paper.

July:
Camp Perry celebrates 100 years of shooting competition.

Our pressure on Westerhold gets national attention from Rush Limbaugh. Michelle Malken and Neal Boortz also link to our site.

August:
Another CHL uses his gun to detain a criminal and a Zogby polls finds 66% of voters reject the idea of more gun laws.

September:
New rules allowing concealed carry while hunting take effect September first.

There was another killing in “gun free” zone in Wisconsin. They happen so regularly one wonders why the legislature has taken no action to eliminate all victim zones.

Cleveland mayor Jackson proposes new gun laws and lies that his police can’t arrest criminals with guns. Buckeye Firearms goes on Fox News Channel to refute claims.

October:
Ohio Supreme Court ruling puts explanation point on need to reform transportation laws, but the legislature is still unwilling to act.

More Ohioans defend life with gun, proving again that concealed carry works. The media is starting to take notice.

Buckeye Firearms Association is awarded the CCRKBA’s “Organization of the Year” award at the Second Amendment Foundation’s Gun Rights Policy Conference. Our wallet cards are such a success, the SAF is taking the program national. They set a great example in spending their money to help grassroots groups work together and become stronger.

November:
College students are joined by faculty and other supporters as they stage an “Empty holster protest” to complain about being made helpless victims on college campuses.

United States Supreme court agrees to hear the Parker case dealing with D.C.s unconstitutional ban on firearm ownership. Buckeye Firearms to file amicus brief in support of Parker.

Buckeye Firearms hosts advanced pistol fighting class with Innovative Tactical Concepts.

December:
Months of digging proves Cleveland never used their so-called assault weapons ban to fight crime.

Governor Strickland hosts a sportsmen’s dinner. It’s refreshing to have such a strong friend in the Governor’s mansion.

Bob Latta wins a special election in Ohio’s fifth congressional district. We lose a good friend from the Ohio legislature, but send him to Washington where his support will be needed.

Buckeye Firearms has had a good year, and we thank all the donors and volunteers who have given us the tools to successfully fight to restore your rights. We could not have done it without you.

To keep up to date with news throughout the year, make sure you are subscribed to the free Buckeye Firearms News for weekly emails about our top stories.

Happy New Year, from all your friends at Buckeye Firearms Association.

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