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PODCAST: Training the Next Generation of Shooters Through Youth Events

The Keep and Bear Radio podcast is hosted on Podbean and is also available on Apple , Google , Spotify , iHeartRadio and many other platforms. Make sure to subscribe to the podcast to hear every episode. How to Listen to Podcasts on Your Mobile Phone *** Episode 59: More than 52 million Americans participate in the shooting sports. That's far more than popular sports such as football or golf. But...

Firearm Industry Economic Impact Rises 269% Since 2008

NEWTOWN, Conn. — The total economic impact of the firearm and ammunition industry in the United States increased from $19.1 billion in 2008 to $70.52 billion in 2021, a 269 percent increase, while the total number of full-time equivalent jobs rose from approximately 166,000 to over 375,819, a 126 percent increase in that period, according to a report released by the NSSF®, the firearm industry...

Ohio’s Wild Turkey Hunting Seasons Begin in April

COLUMBUS, Ohio – One of the joys of an Ohio spring is hearing a wild turkey gobble. Beginning in April, hunters have the chance to experience this phenomenon up close when turkey hunting seasons open, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife. Ohio’s 2022 youth wild turkey hunting season is Saturday, April 9, and Sunday, April 10. Following the youth season...

Op-Ed: Ukraine war reintroduces U.S. politicians to the Second Amendment

Ukrainian police should burn their gun registration records now Will Russian President Vladimir Putin’s military overrun Ukraine like Adolf Hitler’s army overran France in 1940, or will Kyiv become Mr. Putin’s Stalingrad? Ukraine’s armed population could play an increasingly decisive role, from house-to-house fighting in the cities to guerilla strikes in the countryside. In the United States,...

NOW they tell us: Media finally willing to quote law enforcement supportive of permitless carry in Ohio

Remember all the angst we heard about in the media regarding supposed law enforcement opposition to Senate Bill 215 (Permitless Carry)? "The Ohio FOP opposes it!" they screamed. "The Ohio Association of Chiefs of Police don't want it!" they shouted. Leaving aside (at least for now) the irony of the same media that have spent the past several years ginning up every instance of (or supposed...

Despite Constitutional Carry, Should I Get an Ohio Concealed Handgun License Anyway?

On June 13, 2022, residents of Ohio (and law-abiding non-residents) over the age of 21 who might otherwise qualify to obtain a Concealed Handgun License (CHL), will no longer be legally obligated to do so in order to carry a concealed handgun. Ohio becomes the 23rd state to recognize the right to bear arms. This doesn't mean the state's self-defense laws have changed. It just means the state no...

Ohio Primary Election Early Voting Begins Tuesday, April 5, 2022

Tuesday, April 5, 2022, is the start of early voting in Ohio for the Primary Election. Please check BFA PAC grades and endorsements before you vote. Our PAC will continue to update our endorsement page as we collect more information. The Primary will be different this year, so here's what you need to know. 2 SEPARATE PRIMARIES Because lawmakers have been struggling to finalize district maps, the...

PODCAST: After Permitless Carry, What’s Next for Gun Rights in Ohio?

The Keep and Bear Radio podcast is hosted on Podbean and is also available on Apple , Google , Spotify , iHeartRadio and many other platforms. Make sure to subscribe to the podcast to hear every episode. How to Listen to Podcasts on Your Mobile Phone *** Episode 58: Permitless carry has been signed into law in Ohio and goes into effect on June 13, 2022. But there are many other pro-gun bills...

Permitless Carry Begins in Ohio on Monday, June 13, 2022 - Here's Why

When does permitless carry in Ohio go into effect? We've seen different dates reported. And we've heard stories of people already beginning to carry concealed without a license and getting into legal hot water. So here's the official date for permitless concealed carry to start in Ohio: Monday, June 13, 2022 How do we arrive at that date? Governor DeWine signed Senate Bill 215 on Monday, March 14...

Judge Jackson Affirms Second Amendment Rights But Questions Linger

Anyone expecting Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson’s confirmation hearing to be a firework show when it came to gun rights was disappointed. President Joe Biden’s nominee answered questions posed by probing U.S. senators, but some of those answers gave reason for pause. Although Judge Jackson noted the U.S. Supreme Court in Heller affirmed the Second Amendment is an individual right, her full testimony...

Recent ATF Action Shows Need for Suppressor Reform

As we reported [recently], the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (“ATF”) denied approximately 850 Form 1 applications for prospective makers of suppressors on February 28. These denials were apparently made due to a change in ATF policy regarding certain devices that ATF claims are in reality suppressor “parts kits.” The Form 1 application (technically ATF Form 5320.1) is the...

One of the Hunting Industry’s Most Contentious Words: 'Trophy'

Within the hunting industry, the word ‘trophy’ seems to have more legs than a herd of migrating elk. Articles and conversations happen on a regular basis with authors providing opinions, facts, stories, and examples to help prove their point either for or against the use of the word. Aside from the term “trophy wife” (or “trophy husband” for that matter), no one else seems to have an issue with...

Reflections on 20+ Years of Effective Gun Rights Advocacy in Ohio

As we mark the signing of Senate Bill 215, an Act which will bring the ability for permitless carry to anyone who would qualify for an Ohio concealed handgun license (CHL), I have found myself reflecting on my more-than two decades of work as a Second Amendment advocate. After spending 1990-2001 in Indiana (a state that has ZERO training requirement to obtain a concealed handgun license) and...

Headline: California mass killing raises troubling questions

They say in order to stop the next mass killing we need red flag laws. They say we need waiting periods. They say we need background checks for every firearm transfer. They say we need to ban standard-capacity magazines. They say there needs to be mandatory training before purchasing a firearm. They say we should limit the purchase of handguns to one-per-month. They say we need background checks...

BFA's 2022 Firearm Events and Self-Defense Training Classes

We sponsor firearms training, fun shoots, self defense seminars, and pro gun fundraisers throughout the year. Sign up early, because our events sell out FAST! BFA MEMBERS can get discounts on most events. If you're not yet a member, click here to join now . Fun Events Buckeye Blast Fun Shoot Sunday, April 3, 2022 - 8:00AM - 5PM Shoot at iron and paper targets, experience the thrill of live fire...

TSA Finds Firearm in Anti-Gun California Lawmaker's Luggage

The Sacramento Bee reported recently that a California state assemblyman, who has been given an "F"-rating by the NRA-ILA for his strong support of gun control, attempted to carry a loaded firearm through a security checkpoint at the Sacramento International Airport. When anyone else makes this mistake, their gun is confiscated and they are charged with criminal penalties and up to $10,000 in...

Announcing the 2022 Spring Youth Shoot - May 14-15

Don't miss the 2022 Spring Youth Shoot. REGISTER TODAY When: Saturday and Sunday May 14-15, 2022 Where: Dillon Sportsman Center 5200 Pleasant Valley Road Nashport, OH 43830 Cost: Only $5 per Youth Adult Volunteers Free Weekend Camping Free Spring is here and it's time for our Youth Shoot! This is a great opportunity to get the kids outside in the fresh air and have some good, healthy fun...

CMP 2022 Smallbore Rifle Postal Competition Now Open

Back by popular demand after the enormous success of last year’s inaugural event, the Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP) has created a second round of Smallbore Rifle Postal Competition, running from February to May 2022. The event features Three-Position and Prone matches, fired from distances of 50 feet. The Smallbore Postal Competition is open to both adult and junior athletes. Cost to...

PODCAST: Answers to Common Questions about Ohio’s New Permitless Carry Law

The Keep and Bear Radio podcast is hosted on Podbean and is also available on Apple , Google , Spotify , iHeartRadio and many other platforms. Make sure to subscribe to the podcast to hear every episode. How to Listen to Podcasts on Your Mobile Phone *** Episode 57: Ohio has passed a new permitless carry law which goes into effect on Monday, June 13, 2022. It makes Ohio's concealed handgun...

Giffords gun control group releases scorecard documenting their irrelevance

In February, the Giffords Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence (formerly Americans for Responsible Solutions) released their annual "Gun Law Scorecards", grading states on how closely a state agrees with the gun ban movement's agenda. "Giffords is a leader in the movement to end gun violence in America. ...Giffords Law Center works in all 50 states to change policies and challenge injustice. We won...

Answers to Common Questions about Ohio’s New Permitless Carry Law

Senate Bill 215 has been signed into law and will make it legal to carry a concealed handgun without a license in Ohio beginning on June 13, 2022 . Generally referred to as “permitless carry” or “constitutional carry,” this legislation will make several important changes to Ohio’s concealed carry laws: Ohio’s concealed handgun license (CHL) will become optional. If you are currently qualified by...

The Administration’s Alternative Universe: Fight Freedom, Not Crime

The White House press secretary was recently criticized for flippantly downplaying crime fears in a January 25 podcast. While reading out and commenting on cable news chyrons, Jen Psaki joked that CNN and MSNBC were “OK, true,” but FOX News was covering some “alternative universe,” with “Jeanine Pirro talking about soft on crime consequences. I mean, what? What does that even mean? Right? So...

Gun Control’s Crisis of Credibility

Who can you trust? We live in the era of fake news, spin, and shifting narratives. Everything seems to be political. Maybe that’s the wrong question. Maybe we should be asking, “who do you trust?” Recently published research has the answers. Anti-gun activists want you to trust doctors with no constitutional law or law enforcement expertise. They also want you to trust celebrities, people famous...

PODCAST: The Inside Story About How Permitless Carry in Ohio Got to the Governor’s Desk

The Keep and Bear Radio podcast is hosted on Podbean and is also available on Apple , Google , Spotify , iHeartRadio and many other platforms. Make sure to subscribe to the podcast to hear every episode. How to Listen to Podcasts on Your Mobile Phone *** Episode 56: Governor Mike DeWine has signed a BFA-supported bill to make Ohio's concealed carry license optional. This makes Ohio the 23rd state...

Skill Set: Mag Capacity

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard from shooters that their choice of pistol was determined by magazine capacity. “But,” they explain, “this one holds almost twice as many rounds as the other one.” Yet, while mag capacity is a consideration, it shouldn’t be the deciding factor in what pistol you choose for defensive use. Firearm selection should be dictated by application. The weapon I...

Ohio Governor DeWine Signs BFA-Supported Permitless Carry Bill

At approximately 4:50 p.m. on Monday, March 14, 2022, Gov. Mike DeWine signed Senate Bill 215 , which will make it legal to carry a concealed handgun without a license in Ohio 91 days after it is filed by the Secretary of State. "This is a day that will go down in history," said Dean Rieck, Executive Director of Buckeye Firearms Association. "It has been about 18 years since Ohio enacted HB 12 to...

Ohio woman uses firearm to defend life after boyfriend repeatedly strikes her on head and face

WEWS (ABC Cleveland) reported recently that an Ohio woman was forced to use a firearm to defend herseld during a life-threatening domestic violence incident. From the article : It happened around 5 a.m. Saturday at a home on Enid Road. According to police, the woman returned home earlier that morning and was met by her boyfriend who confronted her about an argument they had before she left...

4 Reasons an “Assault Weapon” Ban Should Matter to Hunters

With the Biden administration and some representatives in the U.S. Congress again calling for a ban on so-called “assault weapons,” the situation is more dire than ever. That’s because with Democrats holding the majority in both the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate, along with the White House, the chances of such a measure becoming law are much greater this year than they have been in...

Police Work Going to the Dogs?

For quite some time, law enforcement has utilized the extremely sensitive sense of smell dogs possess to help with their work detecting illicit, and often quite dangerous, items. Most people are familiar with the concept of drug-sniffing dogs, which have been utilized to try to diminish the flow of illegal drugs across our border and in our neighborhoods. Explosive-sniffing dogs have been trained...

Skill Set: Sudden Violence

Most people have a sanitized concept of violence. Unless you’ve been involved in an attack – violent assault, law enforcement, military service and such – it’s hard to understand just how sudden assaults occur, the short distances involved and the timing. In order to combat violence, you have to become familiar with the details. Violent attacks in real life are nothing like in movies or...

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