Pro-Gun Punditry: Wednesday's Buckeye State Roundabout

By Chris Chumita

There are more stories pertaining to our gun rights in Ohio then we can possibly draw attention to with individual daily commentary. But they are worthy of mention.

What follows is our review of headlines from around the state though a pro-gun rights lens.

From decreasing national crime rates to the merger of animal rights groups, these articles should be a part of your required reading!
Click on the "Read More..." link below for several days of headlines accompanied by short, concise pro-gun analysis.

9/10/06: National: Nation's Crime Rate Hits 32-Year Low

From the article:

Americans were robbed and victimized by gun violence at greater rates last year than the year before, even though overall violent and property crime reached a 32-year low, the Justice Department said Sunday.

Gun violence may have increased, but crime over all dropped. How much do you want to bet that the increase in gun violence was due to drugs and gangs?

Also from the article:

"A major police effort to confiscate guns helped bring down the surge in violent crime that occurred in the late 1980s and early 1990s," Blumstein said. "But gun distribution is easier now because we have begun to back off gun control."

Backed by the National Rifle Association, the Bush administration has been cool toward gun control measures.

Its always the fault of the NRA in the eyes of the gun-grabbers. Could the increase in gun violence be due to the fact that many of the violent criminals who went to jail during the crackdowns in the 80s and 90s are now getting out of prison?

9/9/06: Independence, Ohio: Ohio House District 17

From the article:

Voters only rarely must choose between two highly qualified candidates seeking the same office. But those in Ohio's 17th House District will face precisely that pleas ant problem Nov. 7, as they choose a successor to term-limited Rep. Jim Trakas.

The candidates are Democrat Roger Goudy and Republican Josh Mandel. The district comprises Bentleyville, Brecksville, Broadview Heights, Chagrin Falls, Chagrin Falls Township, Glenwillow, Hunting Valley, Independence, Lyndhurst, Moreland Hills, Oakwood, Pepper Pike, Seven Hills, Solon, Valley View, Walton Hills and part of Mayfield Heights.

Representantive Trakas leaves some large shoes to fill and we wish him luck in his future endeavors. When it comes to this race there really isn't a choice. The Buckeye Firearms endorsed candidate Josh Mandel is the best choice and he WILL fight for your gun rights!

9/8/06: Ohio: Candidates Support Gun Ownership

From the article:

The major-party candidates for governor, Rep. Ted Strickland, the Democratic candidate, and Secretary of State J. Kenneth Blackwell, the Republican candidate, recently answered our questions on gun-related issues.

This is a great article and it is a must read for all gun owners. It is a quick Q&A session of Blackwell and Strickland concerning their views on the Second Amendment. The only draw back is that Libertarian candidate Bill Pierce was not included.

9/8/06: National: Your Urgent Action Is Required On BATFE Reform Bill

From the news alert:

The House of Representatives will soon vote on a critically important NRA-supported bill!

H.R. 5092--the “Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (BATFE) Modernization and Reform Act of 2006”--will improve BATFE’s process for punishing the few FFLs who violate the law, and will establish guidelines for BATFE investigations.

We MUST pass this bill. It will help stop BATFE's reign of terror over gun stores. If it passes, it will help protect gun stores from losing their licenses over simple paperwork errors and prevent harrassment of gun show patrons.

9/7/06: Akron, Ohio: Former LA Cowboy Shooting Star 'Guns' For Dunlop Drivers Cup

From the article:

A former Los Angeles cowboy action shooting star and author, who hung up his six-shooters, has been selected to participate in the Dunlop Drivers Cup driving challenge.

Hunter Scott Anderson, 54, aka "Bounty Hunter," of Glendale, Calif., will be competing against 11 other amateur drivers at the U.S. Regional Qualifier in Danville, Va., on Sept. 11-15.

Anderson, winner of hundreds of cowboy action shooting awards, is author of "The Top Shooter's Guide to Cowboy Action Shooting." After 450 matches, the sharp shooter hung up his holster. He now is a capital projects inspector for Los Angeles County Public Works.

Cowboy Action Shooting is probably the fastest growing of the shooting sports. Hunter Scott Anderson is a legend when it comes to Cowboy Action Shooting, and we wish him luck in his new venue.

9/6/06: Columbus, Ohio: Gun Ban In Parks Sought

From the article:

Now that a court has upheld Toledo’s ban on guns in parks, Columbus should pass a similar law, Mayor Michael B. Coleman said yesterday. The statement came after a news conference in which Coleman showcased 1,000 guns that had been confiscated this year on Columbus’ streets

Coleman and his gang are at it again. They have already passed a so called "Assault Rifle" ban which only disarmed law-abiding citizens. Now they want to make the parks safer for muggers and rapists.

9/06: National: Merger Of Animal Rights Organizations Spells Trouble For Sportsmen

From the article:

On September 1, the Humane Society of the United States announced that it has merged with the Doris Day Animal League. The merger results in an additional 180,000 members for the Humane Society of the United States, already the nation’s largest animal rights organization.

The merger comes on the heels of the 2005 merger of the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) and the Fund for Animals.

Pro-gun and pro-sportsman organizations must put aside our differences and present a united front against powerful animal rights organizations. The merger only makes them more powerful and more dangerous.