Sportsmen’s Dollars Protected

In October, we reported on HB367 which was aimed at protecting sportsmen’s dollars. Traditionally, the license fees for hunting, trapping and fishing are used for conservation efforts, not swindled off for other general expenses.

Earlier this session, Governor Bob Taft line-item vetoed the provision in the original budget. But the grassroots fired back, and this week they were rewarded when Governor Taft signed into law the very provision that he previously vetoed.

Why the change in heart?

Tony Celebrezze, director of state services for the US Sportsmen’s Alliance (USSA) said, “It appears the constituent contacts are paying off.” In other words, you (the grassroots) got involved. You contacted your representatives. You wrote letters, sent faxes, made phone calls, and scheduled personal visits. You showed up in mass in hunters orange hats at the statehouse. You made the difference.

HB367 was introduced on October 5, 2005. It was signed into law on January 5, 2006. That is lighting fast for legislation, especially something that just received a Governors veto. But that is what happens when the grassroots gets involved. Of course it also helped that the media didn’t work to kill this legislation, and obviously, it was the right thing to do.

As the concealed carry debate heats back up, and the election cycle rolls into high gear, remember how important and influential the grassroots involvement is to the political process. The media will continue to lie and mislead about concealed carry, but collectively we are much stronger.

We salute the USSA for their leadership on this issue and all the grassroots people who took the time needed to fix this problem. We look forward to the same success as we fix “plain sight” and other problems for CHL’s and all gun owners.

Read the USSA's press release.