Ramaswamy, McColley field dozens of questions from hunters, anglers

Ohio gubernatorial candidate Vivek Ramaswamy and his running mate for lieutenant governor, Rob McColley, participated in a sportsmen and 2A tele-town hall recently to discuss significant issues related to the Second Amendment and those of utmost concern to hunters, anglers, and trappers.

Before taking questions from sportsmen and women across Ohio, Vivek and Rob engaged in discussions with a panel of experts, including Fred Zink (Ottawa County), a world champion goose caller and founder of Zink Calls, AvianX Decoys, and other ventures; Eric Delbert (Franklin County), an active police officer, owner of L.E.P.D. Gun Shop, Range & Training Center and the host of the OnTarget radio program; and Mike Rex (Athens County), the past-president and current secretary of Buckeye Big Bucks and the record-holder for the most big bucks in the Ohio record books.

WATCH: Vivek Ramaswamy has a message for BFA supporters

Mike Rex initiated the discussion by posing a question about the expansion of public hunting lands. In advance of the meeting, he surveyed over 50 sportsmen, who unanimously agreed that Ohio’s limited public hunting land is a major issue. He explained the top reason people give for why they stop hunting is their lack of access to land. Vivek, who is endorsed by Buckeye Firearms Association for Ohio governor in the 2026 fall election, expressed his commitment to expanding public hunting lands, viewing it as an investment in the future. He then turned to his running mate, who, as Ohio Senate president, played a pivotal role in leading the effort earlier this year to secure $25 million to acquire over 10,000 acres of new public land in southern Ohio.

Fred emphasized the significance of Lake Erie to Ohio’s fishing, tourism, wildlife, and economy. He raised the continued need to address harmful algal blooms (HABs) and other threats to clean water in our rivers, wetlands, and watersheds while being accountable to taxpayers and sportsmen. Vivek reaffirmed his commitment to the H2Ohio program and expressed his dedication to collaborating with farmers, sportsmen, and other key stakeholders to ensure the program’s effectiveness and efficient allocation of funding. He also pledged to explore long-term funding sources beyond the state budget bill, a commitment he made to Ohio outdoorsmen and women.

Eric delved into recent actions in federal courts and announcements from the ATF director, which have raised concerns about some Ohioans’ Second Amendment rights. He highlighted the need to address specific changes related to suppressors, short-barreled rifles, and short-barreled shotguns. As he has done before, Vivek reiterated his unwavering support for the Second Amendment and his commitment as a strict constitutionalist. He referenced BFA-endorsed Rob McColley’s efforts in the Senate to advance legislation on these topics and both expressed their determination to see these reforms passed in 2027, unless they are fully addressed during the upcoming lame-duck legislative session.

Over a hundred sportsmen and women participated in the discussion, and Vivek and Rob answered more than a dozen questions from the audience — unlike Ramaswamy's opponent, Amy Acton, who won't debate or answer tough questions, or even allow anyone to record audio or video of her speeches. These questions ranged from age restrictions on firearms ownership to qualifications about the future leadership of the Ohio Department of Natural Resources.

Jim Samuel, BFA's legislative-affairs director, moderated the discussion and expressed his admiration for the depth of Vivek's and Rob’s responses to the issues raised and was convinced that this team is the right one to lead Ohio into the future.