Buckeye Firearms Association PAC "stronger than ever" heading in to pivotal 2012 elections

by Jim Irvine

Buckeye Firearms Association has filed the post-primary report for the 2012 election year. We are near record levels of cash on hand, meaning we are in great shape for the huge battles that lie ahead this year.

We are ready, willing and able to be a factor in many elections. We are stronger in terms of numbers, outreach ability, and an organized grassroots network than we have ever been. All will be tested over the next six months.

For the period of February 15 through April 6, 2012, we had income of $3,202.

Donations broke down as follows: (numbers are rounded off)

• 106 donations of $10 or less totaling $751
• 37 donations of $11-25 totaling $880
• 25 donations of $26-100 totaling $1,571

We thank everyone who donated at any level. A significant portion of our donations comes from our Defenders who give a minimum donation of $5/month.

We spent a total of $2,804 including: (numbers are rounded off)

• $1,070 for brochures and cards
• $700 for postage and office supplies
• $250 deposit for our Dave Grossman event this October
• $175 to upgrade our forums
• 149 PayPal transactions totaling $118
• $110 for gun show tables
• $100 for a news service subscription
• $90 for fuel and parking expenses

We closed out the reporting period with $51,994.23 cash on hand. This is not a record level for us, but it is a record level for this point in the campaign season. It is a good thing, because we are going to need to spend record amounts this year on critical political races. The current reporting period looks to be the most expensive in our 10 year history, probably exceeding our total expenses for the first four years combined.

You want strong laws to protect your rights. Those laws come from a strong legislature, which a strong PAC helps to create. I am fond of saying that "we reap what we sow." We have done a great job assembling the team and the finances and planting the seeds. This summer we must work hard to "tend to our crop" of candidates so that on November 6, we can "harvest" the fruits of our labor with the wins of our endorsed candidates. Together, we are in position to help the candidates who have helped us reform the worst laws, are working on continued improvements, and who will continue to fight in future sessions to protect and restore your firearms rights.

In this election year, the so-called mainstream media are focused on the presidential election. Make no mistake – that is a critical election for all gun owners, and the NRA is "all in" to defeat President Obama for very good reasons. But we will endorse about 100 other candidates that are also critical to your firearm rights. You continued support is critical to our success.

There are local, state, and federal elections that affect your rights. They are similar to food, water, and oxygen that affect your body. A reduction in any of them will cause you discomfort and you need them all to survive. We must win at all levels of elections if our firearms rights are to survive and we are confident that together we will prevail.

Want to help? Donate now to help us fight for your rights.

Jim Irvine is the Buckeye Firearms Association Chairman.