It's time to step up!

By John Salyers

A quick perusal of the February edition of American Hunter magazine made me think about a few things in more detail. The reader comments and self defense stories in the first few pages of every issue are always a favorite read. My attention was especially drawn to the Editor's comments this month.

He mentioned something every NRA member, Ohio hunter, sportsman or woman, gun enthusiast, etc. needs to learn as if it were the gospel itself. Editor J. Scott Olmsted said "Your NRA will forever fight and win battles on the legislative front, whether it be for gun rights or hunters' rights (there really is no separating the two, for without guns there is no hunting)."

Without guns there is no hunting. Mr. Olmsted is spot on with this statement. We can take it a step further however, as it truly applies to all of us. Without guns and gun rights there would be NO activities that go along with them. Think about that for a minute. The activities we all love and would go to the grave defending would not exist if it were not for guns and our rights to legally own and use those guns.

All but the extreme would be hard pressed to find an argument against that reasoning. We all know the famous quote "From my cold, dead hands" right?

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I am having difficulty understanding why then, is there not a united front among us when it comes to gun rights issues? Being a loyal dues paying NRA member is sometimes not enough. We must all be involved and stay on top of the issues, even the small ones, or "From my cold, dead hands" may be a reality in our life times. The NRA has their mission and they do a fine job at executing their overall goals but sometimes the small stuff is passed over.

A recent example is the CCW for hunters effort this PAC is currently involved in. There are much needed changes to be made in Ohio's current hunting regulations to bring them inline with our concealed carry law. Many people have responded but many more are needed in order to get the Division of Wildlife to move on it. If every hunter, sportsman or even Ohio NRA members would step up and send a simple letter, the current road blocks on this issue would buckle quickly.

It's often baffling to me that for whatever reason the collective "we" will not do more to advance and further protect the rights of all of us. We hear it time and again, "I'm a shotgunner, I don't care about pistols, concealed carry for self-defense isn't a concern of mine, real bow hunters don't use cross bows, etc." This mind set does nothing to help the cause, in fact it only gives the opposition a leg to stand on.

These are battles where you can not be neutral anymore than you can be a little bit pregnant. if you are not active at being part of the solution, you are part of the problem. You must choose a side.

The time is upon us to stop with the individuality and work together for the good of the entire cause. How many bow hunters out there have thought it might be nice to have a pistol should something unforseen happen? How many handgun hunters have thought it might be nice to be able to tuck that pistol away in inclement weather? How many Ohio hunters have had encounters with bad guys while in the field?

All Ohio hunters were warned last year to be on the look out for an armed cop killer hiding in the woods.

What's the problem with this picture?

Step up and get involved today. Send a simple letter. Get everyone you know with an interest in protecting our gun rights to send a simple letter. This is one of many upcoming battles that we can win.

Who knows, next time it might be something that you are passionate about! Rest assured, Buckeye Fireams will be there. Will you?

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