BFA endorsees to pack House majority leadership for 132nd General Assembly

Buckeye Firearms Association endorsees have been elected by House Republicans to a majority of leadership positions for the 132nd General Assembly, which convenes in January.

The incoming House Republican Caucus elected BFA "A"-rated Rep. Cliff Rosenberger to continue serving as speaker of the House.

The other members of next year's House Republican leadership team are:

• "B+"-rated Rep. Kirk Schuring (R-Canton), speaker pro tem.
• "A"-rated Rep. Dorothy Pelanda (R-Marysville), majority floor leader.
• "A"-rated Rep. Sarah LaTourette (R-Bainbridge Twp.), assistant majority floor leader.
• "A+"-rated Rep. Tom Patton (R-Strongsville), majority whip.
• "A"-rated Rep. Rob McColley (R-Napoleon), assistant majority whip.

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.

Gun owners are encouraged to contact these Representatives, congratulate them on their appointments, and express your hope that pro-gun legislation will take center stage in the 132nd General Assembly.

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 Election Day. 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.