Buckeye Firearms Association PAC 2016 Endorsees Overwhelmingly Successful on Election Day

Buckeye Firearms Association PAC endorsees were overwhelmingly successful on Election Day 2016.

Every BFA PAC statewide endorsee sailed to victory.

Pro-gun rights candidates were also victorious in many national races for U.S. House and Senate, as voters sought to repudiate President Obama and Hillary Clinton (the person he endorsed to carry on his agenda), including efforts to pass a universal background check gun registration scheme, a ban on modern sporting rifles and standard capacity magazines, as well as the infamous Fast & Furious gun-running operation and Operation Chokepoint, which sought to force firearms businesses out of the financial service space and therefore, out of business.

Americans voted to keep Republicans in control of the U.S. Senate, and to elect NRA-endorsed Republican Donald Trump as U.S. President. Mr. Trump has promised to send pro-gun rights originalists to the U.S. Supreme Court, and the Republican-controlled Senate is expected to advise and consent to his nominees.

Notably, Trump won the State of Ohio with more votes than Governor John Kasich (R) did in his last re-election. At the time, Kasich's vote was considered a monumental win, but, last night, Trump exceeded Kasich's vote total by more than 380,000 votes.

In another massive win, Ohio's U.S. Senator Rob Portman (R) defeated former Governor Ted Strickland (D) by a whopping 22% margin. Let it be heard from the rooftops - THIS is what happens to a politician who turns against Ohio gun owners in order to run on a national stage.

All three BFA PAC endorsees for Ohio Supreme Court - Maureen O'Conner, Pat DeWine and Pat Fischer - were victorious.

BFA PAC endorsees will also pack the Statehouse for the next General Assembly. Endorsees won 13 of 15 races (86%) in the Ohio Senate, and 64 of 73 races (87%) in the Ohio House. Republicans increased their super-majority in the Ohio House, and increased their majority in the Ohio Senate.

This bodes well for gun owners looking for real improvements in Ohio gun laws. In Guns & Ammo's ranking of "Best States for Gun Owners," Ohio ranks 35th, and falls behind all of its border states. Michigan, which passed concealed carry one year before Ohio, ranks 33rd. West Virgina ranks 21st, Pennsylvania is 20th, Indiana comes in 16th and Kentucky is ranked 5th.

If legislators do not act, HB 48 and many other pro-gun bills that are pending will die at the end of December.

If you want to see the General Assembly act to improve gun rights in ways that are already enjoyed by the majority of other states, call your Representative and Senator NOW and tell them you expect pro-gun legislation to move in Ohio BEFORE THE END OF THE YEAR. They asked for your vote on Tuesday. Tell them we want their votes too.

Chad D. Baus is the Buckeye Firearms Association Secretary, BFA PAC Vice Chairman, and an NRA-certified firearms instructor. He is the editor of BuckeyeFirearms.org, which received the Outdoor Writers of Ohio 2013 Supporting Member Award for Best Website.