2011 - BFA in the News

Note: some websites change or deactivate stories after we link them here.

December 15, 2011
Cleveland Plain Dealer - Gun sales without background check easy on Internet, mayors group says

But at least one gun rights advocate in Ohio doesn't support the legislation.

Jim Irvine, chairman of the Buckeye Firearms Association, said he doesn't trust Mayors Against Illegal Guns and believes its ultimate goal is to outlaw private gun sales, and eventually ownership, altogether.

Irvine said the Fix Gun Checks Act would simply drive up the cost of gun sales without reducing crime.

"The criminals steal their guns," he said. "That's the number one way a criminal gets his gun."

And as for the gun sellers, if 62 percent of the 125 unlicensed dealers contacted in the investigation are willing to break the law now, who's to say they won't still be willing to do so if the law changes, he said.

"They're still going to sell guns to criminals if that's what they're doing," Irvine said.

November 17, 2011
KPCC 89.3 FM (Los Angeles) "Patt Morrison" - Up in arms: a felon's right to gun ownership

November 15, 2011
Center For Public Policy's iWatchNews.org - Carrying concealed weapons just keeps getting easier - Ohio one of many states that have weakened requirements

But the elephant in the room was the Buckeye Firearms Association, a local gun rights group, which had circulated a plainly worded letter to members about the legislation, saying it would hold any opponents accountable next November. The group had already targeted one lawmaker for his committee vote by taking out newspaper ads saying he had lied to the group in order to win an endorsement.

Democrat Mark Okey of Canton decried Buckeye Firearms' "political hits" and intimidation, and urged his fellow lawmakers not to succumb to the pressures.

"This is our house," he said in an emotional plea. "We have a right to defend it." He announcesd his intention to vote against the bill, declaring, "Buckeye Firearms, you don't own my vote."

A well-organized militia

James Irvine, the chairman of Buckeye Firearms, says his message for lawmakers in Ohio and their party bosses is simple: "If you cross us, we are going to hit back," he says in an interview. "Know it is coming."

He backs it up with a little money and a lot of motivated volunteers on the ground, including experts on the Internet, who adroitly leverage technology as an organizing and advocacy tool to rally support for both legislation and preferred candidates.

Besides Irvine, a commercial airline pilot, the leadership includes a lawyer who is an NRA firearms instructor, and a pre-owned car dealer who is the main blogger and opinion leader on the Buckeye web site. They all were originally part of Garvas' group but split in 2006 over what the two sides call strategic differences.

Buckeye has its own PAC, and while its war chest is modest — about $54,000 right now, Irvine says — its giving is carefully targeted. Among the beneficiaries: the current Speaker of the Ohio House of Representatives, the Secretary of State, the chair of the Ohio Republican Party, and the Chief Justice of the Ohio Supreme Court.

Members — 33,500 people subscribe to its weekly newsletter — are encouraged to take advantage of an Ohio law that gives a tax credit ($50 for a single person, $100 for a couple) for contributions to state legislative campaigns.

More important: delivering support on the ground to favored candidates. In 2010, Irvine stumped for the incumbent governor, Democrat Ted Strickland, riding around rural Ohio in an RV, dubbed "Sportsmen for Strickland," which was decorated with a camouflage paint job and endorsements from the NRA and other pro-gun groups. The NRA gave $2,500 to Strickland, and spent another $26,000 in independent expenditures promoting his election. Buckeye Firearms gave Strickland $1,000.

Strickland, long a gun-rights proponent, had earned the NRA's highest candidate rating. The credentials of his Republican opponent, John Kasich, were suspect ever since he voted for a national ban on assault weapons while a member of Congress in the mid-1990s.

"It ticked off a lot of my Republican friends," Irvine says. "People would ask, 'Can we really trust a Democrat on the gun issue?' My answer was, 'I am a Republican. I am riding around with him. If that is the case — we can absolutely trust him.'" Kasich won but it remains to be seen whether the gun lobby will rally around him.

The Buckeye web site – Irvine says it generates about 375,000 page views a month — features pointed commentary, analysis, legislative updates, and tools, such as a downloadable 38-page "Grassroots Action Guide," including tips on how to be an effective pro-gun volunteer and insights into "how the anti-gun mind works."

It also has an online messaging system that allows members to instantly contact legislators in Columbus. What it calls a social-media "strike force" to get subscribers to link items of interest to their personal Web pages or other media is generating tens of thousands of new hits.

An occasional web series titled "the Idiot Chronicles" brings new insights on anti-gun lawmakers and other adversaries. A favorite target: Toby Hoover, the long-time head of the Ohio Coalition Against Gun Violence, the state's largest gun-control group. Among other things, Buckeye has revealed ties between Hoover and the Chicago-based Joyce Foundation, which has made more than $400,000 in grants to the Ohio watchdog. (The Center for Public Integrity has also been a Joyce grantee.)

"[Buckeye Firearms] has become a leader of leaders of the grassroots groups...a model that people are emulating and copying," says Alan Gottlieb, the chairman of the Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms, which named Buckeye its organization of the year in 2011.

Matt Westerhold was not the first reporter to run afoul of Irvine's group. But he says he personally will never make that mistake again.

...Westerhold, the managing editor of the Sandusky Register, a 20,000 circulation daily, decided to engage.

He had been getting calls from readers wanting to know if their neighbors had guns. A local prosecutor had gone to court to suppress a request for the records from another publication. One day in June, 2007, Westerhold thought it was time to take a stand.

"We had the list...We had readers who had requested the information," he recalls. "We decided to publish the list...as a public service." The list, including the names and birthdates of some 2,500 permit holders, was published on the paper's Web site. The response was immediate. "A firestorm," he says.

Irate gun owners felt he had blown the cover of permit holders and put innocent lives at risk.

"I was getting phone calls from all over the country, hundreds of phone calls," he says, including 250 calls just from readers within his paper's circulation area. Some he considered personally threatening.

"There were so many nut jobs. There were so many threats that said, 'I am going to kill you'.... 'You should die slowly'... probably dozens of emails and phone calls," he says.

"And then, Buckeye Firearms got involved," he says, "in a very pro-active way."

The group searched the public record and posted on its Web site Westerhold's phone numbers, auto records, traffic citations, a partial Social Security number, a photo of his home, and details about his divorce and ex-wife.

His daughter, then 12, even got pulled into the fray. Buckeye published a kind of road map on how one might obtain information about the public school she attended and the bus she took there. The group noted that a photo of the girl from her school yearbook could probably be found in the reference section of the local library.

"I never experienced anything like that in my life," Westerhold says.

"Everything was fair game," he says, until his daughter became an issue.

He says he consulted an attorney, and took the information to a local prosecutor, who found no grounds to take action.

Irvine said Buckeye Firearms did not publish the information about Westerhold to be vindictive, but wanted to show the editor the downside and destructive impact of publishing information just because it was publicly available. "We could have gotten way, way more personal," he said.

The blowback appeared to achieve its unstated aim.

"At that point, I went to a low profile," Westerhold says. "We left the information on line but I have never sought to follow up or do anything with the list."

"We had a Democratic governor and a state chairman of the Democratic Party who absolutely sold out the issue completely," he said. "I thought, 'Why should I fight this fight?'"

If Ohio's legislators had any doubts on how to vote on this year's bill allowing concealed weapons in bars, there was always the case of Matt Lundy to consider.

Lundy, a Democratic House member representing Lorain County near Cleveland, had voted for other gun-friendly measures, but decided he could not support guns in bars. He thought the idea was absurd and was troubled that law enforcement opposed it. “Is there any guarantee that the bullets always hit the bad guys?” he asked during a committee hearing.

To Buckeye Firearms, however, Lundy had suddenly become a turncoat. Two weeks before the House vote, it blasted him with a media barrage, pegged to a 2010 candidate questionnaire in which he indicated support for allowing guns in restaurants and other locations that serve liquor.

Buckeye Firearms issued a press release to hundreds of news outlets in Ohio, emailed thousands of pro-gun voters, and shared its viewpoint in a newspaper advertisement headlined "Matt Lundy LIED!" The ad appeared in two newspapers that covered his district, both of which published stories about the flap, one accusing him in an editorial of "weaseling."

"[Buckeye Firearms] wanted to intimidate members who might have been on the fence," Lundy says in an interview. He said the message seemed to be: "We are going to throw you under the bus and make sure the tire hits you on the way through."

What influence the shot across the bow had on the vote was unclear. But the final tally was overwhelmingly in favor of the legislation. Lundy indeed voted no. Kasich signed the bill at a ceremony attended by gun lobbyists, including several Buckeye Firearms representatives. Bubp was honored by Ohioans for Concealed Carry for his work on the bill.

As for Lundy, he now finds the whole episode a little baffling. "I don't think you can effectively be a legislator if you agree with someone 100 percent of the time," he says. "I was disappointed how you can go from being someone who is well-liked to being totally hated."

Irvine said Buckeye has not decided whether it will campaign against Lundy when he is up for reelection next year. That will depend on the record of his opponent. "We will send him a survey and see how he responds," Irvine says. "But...he has lost some trust."

And on Oct. 11, permit-holder Chad O’Reilly, 25, was arrested for threatening to kill a fellow bar patron in Deer Park, Ohio, near Cincinnati.

...The gun lobby said the incident showed how the new law was working.

"The law has been tested and it passed the test," Buckeye Firearms editorialized. "An apparent crime was detected, law enforcement were called, no one was hurt, and the accused is facing serious felony charges."

November 15, 2011
MotherJones.com - Guns Across America

Enter the Buckeye Firearms Association, a local gun rights group. It circulated a bluntly worded letter to legislators, threatening to hold any opponents accountable in next November's elections."If you cross us, we are going to hit back," James Irvine, the chairman of Buckeye Firearms, said of the group's tactics in an interview. "Know it is coming."

In addition to Irvine, who works as a commercial airline pilot, the leadership of the Buckeye Firearms Association includes Ken Hanson, a lawyer and NRA firearms instructor, and Chad Baus, a car dealer and the main blogger for the group's website. The group's weekly newsletter has more than 33,000 subscribers, and its website generates about 375,000 page views a month, according to Irvine. Features on the site include a messaging system for contacting legislators and a downloadable "Grassroots Action Guide," with tips on activism and insights into "how the anti-gun mind works." Periodic commentary under the title "The Idiot Chronicles" focuses on anti-gun lawmakers and other adversaries.

Buckeye also has its own PAC, and while its war chest is modest—about $54,000, according to Irvine—its giving is carefully targeted. Among the beneficiaries: the speaker of the Ohio House of Representatives, the secretary of state, the chair of the Ohio Republican Party, and the chief justice of the Ohio Supreme Court.

All this has made Buckeye a player closely watched by other groups. It is "a model that people are emulating and copying," says Alan Gottlieb, founder of the Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms, a national group that supports state and local gun activists, which named Buckeye its grassroots organization of the year in 2011.

The group's political activism shows how the power of the gun lobby can cut across party lines. In 2010, Irvine campaigned for the incumbent governor, Democrat Ted Strickland (who ended up losing to Republican John Kasich). He rode around rural Ohio in a camouflaged RV dubbed "Sportsmen for Strickland." The NRA gave $2,500 to Strickland and devoted an additional $26,000 in independent expenditures to his campaign, while Buckeye Firearms gave Strickland $1,000. Strickland, long a gun rights proponent, had earned the NRA's highest candidate rating; Kasich has been considered suspect ever since he voted for a national assault-weapons ban as a member of Congress in the '90s.

Irvine's stumping for Strickland "ticked off a lot of my Republican friends," he says. "People would ask, 'Can we really trust a Democrat on the gun issue?' My answer was, 'I am a Republican. I am riding around with him. If that is the case, we can absolutely trust him.'"

Buckeye Firearms has also targeted journalists it considers unfriendly to its agenda. Nobody knows this better than Matt Westerhold, the managing editor of the Sandusky Register, a 16,000-circulation daily in north central Ohio. For three years following passage of the 2004 concealed carry law, Westerhold says, he had been getting calls from readers wanting to know if their neighbors had guns. The law had made it permissible for journalists to access information about permit holders, but a local prosecutor had gone to court to stop another publication from publishing that information. Westerhold felt it was time to take a stand; he decided to publish the permit holder information "as a public service." A list including the names and birth dates of some 2,500 permit holders appeared on the Sandusky Register's website.

...The reaction was fast and furious. "I was getting phone calls from all over the country, hundreds of phone calls," Westerhold says. "There were so many nut jobs. There were so many threats: 'I am going to kill you' and 'You should die slowly'."

Then the Buckeye Firearms Association got involved, Westerhold says, "in a very pro-active way." Using public records, the group posted on its website Westerhold's auto records, a traffic citation, a partial Social Security number, an address for property he owned, and details about his divorce and ex-wife. It also included information on how one might find out which public school Westerhold's 12-year-old daughter attended, which bus she took there, and how a photo of the girl from her school yearbook could probably be found in the local library.

"I never experienced anything like that in my life," Westerhold says. He says he consulted an attorney and took the information to a local prosecutor, who found no grounds to take action.

Irvine says Buckeye Firearms did not publish the information about Westerhold to be vindictive, but rather to show the editor how easily a "bad guy" might get information on any one of the people on the list that the Sandusky Register had published. "We could have gotten way, way more personal," Irvine says.

Proponents of concealed carry permits argue that there are more examples of citizens using their guns to prevent crime or in self-defense. On its website, Buckeye Firearms cites the 2009 case of a 70-year-old great-grandmother who pulled a .357 Magnum from her purse and shot and killed an armed robber who had burst into her hotel room in Columbus.

...But the momentum remains with the gun rights movement, especially as a growing number of Democrats are seeing little upside in voting against the gun lobby.

November 15, 2011
MediaMatters.org - Report: Gun Group Targeted Journalist And His 12-Year-Old Daughter

At Mother Jones, iWatchNews reporter Rick Schmitt details the chilling tale of a journalist who got on the wrong side of Buckeye Firearms Association, an Ohio gun rights group closely tied to the National Rifle Association.

Matt Westerhold is the managing editor of the small Ohio daily the Sandusky Register. Westerhold tells Schmitt that after Ohio passed a bill legalizing the concealed carry of firearms, he received numerous requests from readers who wanted to know if their neighbors had applied for carry permits. After three years of such requests, Westerhold began publishing the names and birth dates of permit holders on the paper's website (permit holder data was publicly available at the time).

Gun rights activists were not pleased. Westerhold says that he received numerous death threats, and that Buckeye Firearms responded by publishing a wide variety of personal information about Westerhold, as well as "information on how one might find out which public school Westerhold's 12-year-old daughter attended, which bus she took there, and how a photo of the girl from her school yearbook could probably be found in the local library":

The reaction was fast and furious. "I was getting phone calls from all over the country, hundreds of phone calls," Westerhold says. "There were so many nut jobs. There were so many threats: 'I am going to kill you' and 'You should die slowly'."

Then the Buckeye Firearms Association got involved, Westerhold says, "in a very pro-active way." Using public records, the group posted on its website Westerhold's auto records, a traffic citation, a partial Social Security number, an address for property he owned, and details about his divorce and ex-wife. It also included information on how one might find out which public school Westerhold's 12-year-old daughter attended, which bus she took there, and how a photo of the girl from her school yearbook could probably be found in the local library.

"I never experienced anything like that in my life," Westerhold says. He says he consulted an attorney and took the information to a local prosecutor, who found no grounds to take action.

Buckeye Firearms chairman James Irvine told Schmitt that he "did not publish the information about Westerhold to be vindictive, but rather to show the editor how easily a 'bad guy' might get information on any one of the people on the list that the Sandusky Register had published." That seems like the sort of message that could have been conveyed privately instead.

If Buckeye Firearms' goal was to intimidate a reporter, it worked. Westerhold says he has "never sought to follow up or do anything with the list."

November 14, 2011
New York Times - Felons Finding It Easy to Get Gun Rights Reinstated

Ken Hanson, legislative chairman of the Buckeye Firearms Coalition[sic], argued that felons should be able to reclaim their gun rights just as they can other civil rights.

"If it's a constitutional right, you treat it with equal dignity with other rights," he said.

November 12, 2011
Akron Beacon-Journal - Woman fires gun to ward off man trying to steal her car, Akron police say

Jim Irvine, chairman of the Buckeye Firearms Association, which advocates for conceal-carry laws in Ohio, said instances of attacks or robberies are far more common than some people realize. As a result, more citizens are arming themselves, he said.

Ohio recently set another record with the number of conceal-carry permit holders. According to figures released this month by the Ohio Attorney General’s Office, more than 253,000 people are licensed to carry a gun, more than double the number licensed in 2007.

Irvine said the state's conceal-carry laws, first enacted in 2004, continue to protect ordinary citizens like Bennett.

"We've seen enough abductions to know they're not going to be taken some place for a manicure," he said. "It's not going to have a happy ending. And frankly, I'd rather read about someone defending their life than someone being killed by an attacker."

October 28, 2011
NRANews.com

October 22, 2011
Cleveland Plain Dealer - Cuyahoga County fair board unsure whether it can tighten gun show 'loophole'

Ken Hanson, an attorney for the Buckeye Firearms Association, a gun rights political action committee, said he approached officials from the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives in 2009 about a voluntary system of background checks on private sales but was told licensed dealers did not want to take responsibility.

And in Dayton, the new rule does not apply to sales by "aisle walkers" -- people who pay admission and sell their guns to another attendee, Hanson said.

Hanson argued that ATF studies show that few guns bought at gun shows are later found to have been used in crimes. He added that Cleveland officials have little or no credibility because they don't do enough to enforce the city's gun laws.

Cleveland cannot point to anything showing a violent-crime increase that can be tied to the death of local gun laws or people buying guns at gun shows, Hanson said. "This is the trap of proving a negative."

October 14, 2011
"The Revolution with Jim & Trav"

October 13, 2011
Ohio News Network - SW Ohio Man Arrested For Waving Gun In Bar

"There is no reason to let the action of one moron effect the outcome of 250,000 honest Ohio license holders," said Joe Eaton with the Buckeye Firearms Association.

Eaton said that he does not defend the man's behavior.

"Everything he chose to do was illegal and should be illegal," Eaton said. "Buckeye Firearms supports having him prosecuted to the full extent."

October 13, 2011
55KRC (Cincinnati) "The Brian Thomas Morning Show"

October 12, 2011
WLW 700 AM (Cincinnati) "The Sloanie & Tracy Show"

October 5, 2011
Cleveland Plain Dealer - Law enforcement officials ask Cuyahoga County fair board to tighten rules for gun shows

Jim Irvine, chairman of the Buckeye Firearms Association, said he doesn't think it is possible for a licensed firearms dealer to access the background check system for someone else's transaction. Licensed dealers are only permitted to use the NCIS system for their own sales, Irvine said.

"They need to change federal law to give me the power to do it first," Irvine said.

October 1, 2011
The Daily - A round of shots (several Buckeye Firearms Association leaders are quoted in this article)

"I'm going to Ruby Tuesday's tonight," said Rick Kaleda, 43, a Youngstown software developer who regularly carries a .45-caliber pistol for self-defense. "I can't wait."

Kaleda and other gun advocates said the law corrects what they saw as contradiction in the old rules, which allowed law-abiding, licensed people to carry concealed handguns at places like McDonald's, but drew a line anywhere with a liquor license.

...But some Ohio gun owners say "no gun" signs will only cause them to vote with their wallets. For Linda Walker, 51, who said she carries her 9mm pistol anywhere she's legally allowed, the choice will be simple.

"I've chosen to take my business to a business that will not disarm me," she said.

The gun owners applauding the new law said they welcome the peace of mind it brings.

"It means now I can go to T.G.I. Friday's, or Applebee's or Max and Erma's with my children and I can be perfectly assured I can protect them should anything happen," said Clint Lake, a 46-year-old Columbus software analyst with two children.

Lake said yesterday he and several friends planned to strap on their guns tonight and visit their favorite pizza parlor — its owner supports the law, too — to chow down and (soberly) celebrate the Constitution.

"We're going to freely express our Second Amendment rights," Lake said. "Eat pizza, and drink pop."

October 1, 2011
Youngstown Vindicator - Coalition urges bar owners to ban guns

But firearms advocates say such comments are not based on facts.

"Ever since concealed-carry passed, we were hearing these doom and gloom predictions from the folks opposed to it," said Rick Kaleda, a Youngstown resident and Northeast Ohio chairman of the Buckeye Firearms Association.

"Responsible citizens are going to behave like responsible citizens, and that's who we're talking about with these [concealed carry] licenses."

October 1, 2011
The Daily-Record - Group urges opposition to hidden firearms

"Ever since concealed carry passed, we were hearing these doom and gloom predictions from the folks opposed to it," said Rick Kaleda, a Youngstown resident and Northeast Ohio chairman of the Buckeye Firearms Association. "... Responsible citizens are going to behave like responsible citizens, and that's who we're talking about with these licenses."

...Proponents of the changes said the former state law was too confusing and could have led to concealed carry permit holders unknowingly breaking the law.

They also believe comparable laws in surrounding states -- Pennsylvania, for example -- have not led to "wild west" scenes of bar shootouts.

"We're talking about the people who abide by the law in the first place and go and get the safety training and understand the law," Kaleda said. "To predict that responsible people are suddenly going to behave irresponsibly is ludicrous. It just doesn't make any sense."

September 30, 2011
Statehouse News Bureau - Law allowing concealed weapons in places that sell alcohol takes effect today

September 30, 2011
WBNS (CBS Columbus) - Ohio's Concealed Carry Law Takes Effect

"Because I step into an establishment that has a liquor license does not make me want to go nuts." said Linda Walker, central Ohio chair of the Buckeye Firearms Association.

September 30, 2011
Columbus Dispatch - Guns in bars OK as of today

Linda Walker, central Ohio chairwoman for the Buckeye Firearms Association, said violence won't increase.

"People think gun violence is going to go up, there's going to be blood flowing in the streets, or people are going to be shooting people because they got angry with someone," Walker said.

"We went through this same thing when conceal-carry went into law in 2004. After people got used to it, they saw nothing was going to change."

September 30, 2011
Western Reserve Public Media's Guns N' Pubs

September 30, 2011
Marion Star - Less restrictive concealed-carry rules are effective today

The new law has the support of the National Rifle Association, Buckeye Firearms Association and Ohioans for Concealed Carry.

September 29, 2011
Zanesville Times-Recorder - Ohio gun law opens to mixed reviews in Zanesville area

The NRA, Buckeye Firearms Association and Ohioans for Concealed Carry supported the guns-in-bars measure.

Stepember 29, 2011
Middletown Journal - Concealed weapons in bars going in effect

The new law is "a non-issue," said Joe Eaton, southwest chairman for the Buckeye Firearms Association.

"Ohio is finally catching up to the rest of the states," he said. "There are 42 states that allow some type of it (concealed-weapons). No state, once (the law) has been implemented, (has) had a reason to take it away. Ohio's law is even stricter than what's in place in other states."

He noted that in Kentucky, the law allows consumption of alcohol.

"The restrictions we have in place in Ohio will be more strict," Eaton said.

...In regards to sentiments of establishment owners who don't want concealed weapons inside their businesses, Eaton said the decision is up to them, as the law allows establishments the option to ban firearms.

"It puts the choice back on the business owners," he said. "Before (today), any restaurant was automatically off limits. (Now), they get to decide."

...Eaton said in 10 years, "we'll look back and laugh" at fears surrounding SB 17. He said each time gun laws change in Ohio, people have feared bloodshed in the streets.

"Everyone will be out on Friday night, and the only difference is there will be people next to them protecting their family," he said.

September 29, 2011
WCMH (NBC Columbus) - It's Official: Owners Can Carry Weapons In Bars

Proponents of the law said it's a self defense issue and that just because someone can go into an establishment that sells alcohol doesn't mean they're going to be drunk. In fact, the law prohibits any consumption if someone is carrying a gun.

"Now if I've got my family with me, I got a moral obligation to do everything in my power to defend them if a madman comes in and wants to do us harm," said Linda Walker with Buckeye Firearms Association.

It will be up to each business if they want to allow it or not.

..."This is going to extend my self defense rights and it's not changing anything else," said Walker.

September 29, 2011
WLW 700 AM (Cincinnati) "The Mark Amazon Show"

September 29, 2011
Ohio News Network - Law Allowing Guns In Bars Starts Friday

While opponents fear a "wild west shootout scenario," Joe Eaton with Buckeye Firearms said that the majority of permit holders are law abiding citizens.

"The licenses holders are among the most honest in the state. They are the ones that are following the laws. Less than one-half of one percent of the license in Ohio have been revoked for any reason at all. Simply having this and expanding the places where we can take our families out to eat is not going to change that at all," said Eaton.

Supporters of the law told ONN-TV that more than 40 state already have a similar rules in place.

September 29, 2011
NRANews.com

September 29, 2011
WLW 700 AM (Cincinnati) "The Big Show with Bill Cunningham"

September 29, 2011
Cincinnati Enquirer - Carrying guns in bars to be legal come Friday

The National Rifle Association, Buckeye Firearms Association and Ohioans for Concealed Carry all supported the guns-in-bars measure.

September 18, 2011
WBZI 1500 AM's "The Great Outdoors" radio program

August 31, 2011
NRANews.com

August 17, 2011
Ohio News Network - Gun Sales On Rise In Ohio

"Whenever the political climate and the economic climate become concerning to individuals, generally that's going to up your firearms sales and your ammunition sales," said Linda Walker with the Buckeye Fireams Association.

Walker said that she's been packing heat since Ohio's concealed carry law went into effect in 2004.

"We have several guns because you can never have enough," Walker said.

Walker said that it's her constitutional right and if things go awry in our country and gun rights are restricted, ammunition will be worth its weight in gold.

...Walker said that working as a realtor with high unemployment and hard times, she feels safer being armed when she encounters the unknown every day.

"I can't carry a policeman around with me and my husband can't be with me all of the time to protect me," Walker said. "So it's up to me to be prepared if and when I become a victim."

August 17, 2011
NRANews.com

August 17, 2011
Associated Press - Gun-buyer background checks up 17.7 pct. in Ohio

Chairman Jim Irvine of the Buckeye Firearms Association says more people want to own guns because of fears about the economy and whether British-style riots could happen here.

August 17, 2011
Dayton Daily News - Firearm sales up in 2011 - Record number of background checks tied to politics, economy

Jim Irvine, chairman of the Buckeye Firearms Association, said Obama's hostility toward gun rights has helped boost sales, but the country's economic troubles also have many people worried that violence similar to the riots in England could erupt stateside.

"Unemployment is very high, underemployment is very high, job stagnation and salaries are issues, and you look around the world — Greece, Italy and England for the last couple of weeks — there is always turmoil going on, and there is a growing feeling that we are going to have civil unrest in this country," Irvine said. "People want to be prepared."

August 14, 2011
WBZI 1500 AM's "The Great Outdoors" radio program

August 2, 2011
NRANews.com

July 10, 2011
Armed American Radio

July 6, 2011
The People's Defender - Bubp-sponsored concealed carry law signed by Gov. Kasich Thursday

"Yesterday was a great day for CCW Permit holders across the state," said Bubp. "As one of the sponsors of the companion legislation (HB 45) to SB 17, it was an honor to attend with representatives from the Buckeye Firearms Association, Ohioans for Concealed Carry and the National Rifle Association," Representative Bubp said.

...In addition to simplifying existing concealed carry laws, Senate Bill 17 will bring Ohio's carry regulations in line with most other states' regulations. This legislation was originally introduced during the previous General Assembly as Senate Bill 239, which received the support of the National Rifle Association, the Buckeye Firearms Association and Ohioans for Concealed Carry.

July 4, 2011
The Oxford Press - Alcohol and guns don't mix, bar employees say

Concern by customers and employees about the combination of firearms and alcohol, however, should be negated due to the new law, said Joe Eaton, the Southwest Ohio regional chairman of the Buckeye Firearms Association.

"Everyone will agree that guns and alcohol don't mix, but the fact they don't mix is a nonstarter because the bill does not allow that at all," Eaton said in May.

The new law also brings Ohio in line with other states throughout the country, Eaton said in May.

"There are more than 40 states that have similar laws," said Eaton, a concealed carry permit holder since 2004. "I don't know why Ohio citizens are thought to be any different than other citizens in other states."

July 3, 2011
WBZI 1500 AM's "The Great Outdoors" radio program

July 2, 2011
WFMJ (NBC Youngstown) - New concealed carry law goes into effect

Patron Tom Benton says, "As a permit holder, basically people who don't have gun permits will still carry. The criminal will do whatever he wants to do."

The Buckeye Firearms association and other pro-concealed carry groups agree.

July 2, 2011
Youngstown Vindicator - New Ohio law allows guns in bars, malls

"HB54 is critical to those who have had their Second Amendment rights restored in an Ohio court," Buckeye Firearms Association Chairman Jim Irvine said in a statement.

July 2, 2011
Columbus Dispatch - GOP takes lumps at conference

In addition to Martin's speech, the convention featured a number of small sessions with speakers from such groups as the Heritage Foundation and School Choice Ohio, and displays set up at tables by local and national organizations including the John Birch Society, the Buckeye Firearms Association and Ohioans for Healthcare Freedom.

July 1, 2011
Cleveland Plain Dealer - Tea Party activists get organized at convention in Columbus

Similar to major political party conventions, the "We the People Convention" attracted special interest groups, which paid to set up booths inside the Columbus Convention Center. These groups included the Heritage Foundation, Buckeye Firearms Association and the Libertarian Party of Ohio, among two dozen others.

July 1, 2011
NRANews.com

July 1, 2011
KBSZ's (NBC 1260AM/96.1 FM) "War on Guns" radio program with host David Codrea

July 1, 2011
Gongwer News Service - Governor Signs Guns-In-Bars Bill...

"SB17 is critical to Ohio Concealed carry license (CHL) holders, and HB54 is critical to those who have had their Second Amendment rights restored in an Ohio court," BFA Chairman Jim Irvine said. "Ironically, in spite of all the media attention, neither will have any noticeable effect for most of the general public."

The association noted that Ohio joins the large majority of states that allowed license holders to carry weapons in bars and restaurants that serve alcohol.

BFA Legislative Chair Ken Hanson said Ohio's law is still stricter than most because it prevents alcohol consumption by the permit holder.

July 1, 2011
Wooster Daily Record - Ohioans can bring firearms into bars if owner says it's OK

"SB17 is critical to Ohio Concealed carry license holders, and HB54 is critical to those who have had their Second Amendment rights restored in an Ohio court," Buckeye Firearms Association Chairman Jim Irvine said in a released statement. "Ironically, in spite of all the media attention, neither will have any noticeable effect for most of the general public."

June 27, 2011
Fremont News-Messenger - Area opinions mixed on gun law

For gun rights advocacy group Buckeye Firearms Association, the bill's passage is a big deal for permit holders.

Buckeye Chairman Jim Irvine said the legislation should be a non-issue for the general public and he pointed out that licensed Ohio residents have brought handguns into McDonald's and other non-alcohol serving establishments without incident.

"Time will go on and people will look back and say, 'Why was that a controversy?'" Irvine said.

Irvine pointed out that privately owned businesses included in the legislation still have the right to ban firearms for safety reasons. He noted that the Cincinnati Bengals have indicated the NFL team will not allow weapons into its stadium.

The Ohio Fraternal Order of Police opposed the legislation, but Irvine said he had talked to individual officers who supported the bill.

He said concealed carry permit holders understood the responsibilities that came with gun ownership and were not likely to go in bars, get drunk and start confrontations.

June 24, 2011
Ohio News Network - Supports Of Conceal Carry Weapon Bill Want It Expanded

Carrying a concealed weapon on the University of Cincinnati campus could be legal if some gun rights advocates have their way.

Tim Inwood is a supporter of House Bill 256 and is the former President of the Clinton County Gun Club [and a volunteer for Buckeye Firearms Association].

Inwood said that if gun owners were allowed to carry their weapons on campus, the massacre at Virginia Tech may not have been so deadly.

"Sadly individuals that had conceal carry licenses on campus had to leave their guns in the cars because it was required by state law. Therefore, they could not have stopped the slaughter," Inwood said.

...The bill not only will allow guns on college campuses but also at churches, daycare centers and government buildings.

"If I am allowed to carry a conceal weapon in churches, it's going to be a deterrent for criminals causing problems," Inwood said. "People with a license won't be a problem."

...Joe Eaton with the Buckeye Firearms Association told ONN that he agrees with the concept of the bill, but doesn't think it has a good chance of being approved.

June 18, 2011
Port Clinton News Herald - Opinions mixed on allowing guns in bars

Ohio lawmakers' decision to allow concealed-carry-weapon permit-holders to enter thousands of establishments that serve alcohol won't cause any major problems in the state, said Linda Walker, the Central Ohio chairwoman for the Buckeye Firearms Association.

"There hasn't been a problem in the 42 states that have restaurant concealed carry," she said. "If there had been, don't you think that they'd have worked to repeal?"

Walker said she spends most of her time at the statehouse in Columbus advocating on citizens' gun and safety issues.

"We're very excited," Walker said. "It's been a long process, two and a half years in the making."

...Walker said the media has focused coverage of the issue almost exclusively on bars.

"I don't know the reason," she said.

Beyond the self-defense issues involved, Walker said, requiring CCW holders to leave weapons in vehicles when they enter restaurants is an open invitation for trouble.

"Criminals can break into my car to steal the car, laptop, keys, and now you're stealing my gun," she said. "Now you've got one more criminal on the street with a handgun."

Walker said the best place for a handgun is in the safe possession of a law-abiding citizen. And, she said, predictions by opponents of the legislation that permit-holders will be shooting up bars and restaurants just isn't accurate.

"We heard the same rhetoric in 2003," she said of the debate which originally established concealed-carry in Ohio. "They said it was going to be 'The Wild West.'"

June 18, 2011
WLW 700 AM (Cincinnati) "The Big Outdoors with Chip Hart"

June 17, 2011
Circleville Herald - New concealed carry law not popular with locals

According to testimony given by Tim Schaffer (R), Senator for the State of Ohio, on Tuesday at the State Government and Elections Committee, "This legislation is about affirming law-abiding citizens' rights to bear arms."

According to Schaffer, the legislation has the support of the National Rifle Association and the Buckeye Firearms Association and Ohioans for Concealed Carry.

June 16, 2011
United Press International - Ohio Legislature passes broad gun law

"We're really pleased. Finally. We've been working on this for three years," Jim Irvine of the Buckeye Firearms Association said. "We're only trying to help Ohio catch up to the 1990s. Ohio is really just catching up to almost every other state in the country."

June 16, 2011
Reuters - Ohio lawmakers pass bill to allow guns in bars

Jim Irvine, the head of Buckeye Firearms Association, a political action committee for gun owners that supported the legislation, said the measure brought Ohio's laws regarding the rights of gun owners in line with those in other states with concealed carry rules.

June 16, 2011
WLW 700 AM (Cincinnati) "The Marc Amazon Show"

June 15, 2011
The Times-Reporter - Wilson joins 24 Ohio senators in passing concealed-carry bill

Jim Irvine, the head of Buckeye Firearms Association, a political-action committee for gun owners that supported the legislation, said the measure brought Ohio’s laws regarding the rights of gun owners in line with those in other states with concealed-carry rules.

June 16, 2011
The (UK) Daily Mail - What could possibly go wrong? Ohio passes law allowing gun owners to carry guns in bars

Jim Irvine, the head of Buckeye Firearms Association, a political action committee for gun owners that supported the legislation, said the measure brought Ohio's laws regarding the rights of gun owners in line with those in other states with concealed carry rules.

June 16, 2011
Columbus Dispatch - Lawmakers send Kasich bill to allow guns in bars

The National Rifle Association, Buckeye Firearms Association and Ohioans for Concealed Carry all supported the guns-in-bars measure, which cleared the House and Senate with ease yesterday.

June 15, 2011
Ohio News Network - Kasich Will Sign 'Guns In Bars' Bill

Linda Walker from the Buckeye Firearms Association said that businesses can prevent concealed weapons by posting a sign near the front entrance.

"They've already got guns in their bars and in their restaurants, but it's not by the law abiding citizen. It's by the criminal," said Walker. "We're not looking for the bartenders to enforce this any other way than they're already enforcing it."

...For Kasich, both the NRA and Buckeye Firearms Association endorsed his opponent in last year's campaign.

Despite opposition from the Ohio Restaurant Association and law enforcement groups to the concealed weapon bill, Kasich seems ready to support it.

"I'm for the 2nd Amendment and, yes, I am likely to sign it," said Kasich.

That's music to the ears of the gun lobby.

"We want to back Gov. Kasich, and we look forward to working with him," said Walker.

June 15, 2011
WLW 700 AM (Cincinnati) "The Big Show with Bill Cunningham"

June 14, 2011
WTAM 1100AM Cleveland - Concealed carry law may change soon

"Every state surrounding Ohio already has this, the exception is every state surround Ohio does allow consumption so anyone who has driven outside of Ohio has experienced this law in far more liberal terms than what we're passing," said Jim Irvine with the Buckeye Firearms Association.

...Irvine says studies show 90% of the multiple-victim killings that take place do so in venues where concealed weapons are not permitted.

"Why would you make a place one of those 90%," he said.

The House previously passed a similar piece of legislation, but the Senate version has been picked to go to Governor Kasich's desk so the House has to agree to it.

June 14, 2011
WCMH (NBC Columbus) - New Bill Would Allow Concealed Carry At Daycare Centers, College Campuses

But the pro-gun lobby believes the climate may now be right for the legislation.

"If someone is going to meet all the qualifications, a whole bureaucracy to oversee telling you you're a good person doesn't make a whole lot of sense," said Jim Irvine, chairman of the Buckeye Firearms Association.

June 14, 2011
Columbus Dispatch - Bill would require background check for all sales at gun shows

The proposal was heralded by Columbus Mayor Michael B. Coleman and City Councilwoman Michelle M. Mills, who joined Heard in a news conference held across W. Broad Street from Westland Mall, where a gun show is scheduled for this weekend.

The show's promoter branded the legislation a folly, and the Buckeye Firearms Association called it a grab at the rights of law-abiding gun owners.

Ken Hanson, legislative chair of the Buckeye Firearms Association, said linking gun shows to terrorism was blatant fear-mongering. "These guys are getting explosives in their underwear on planes. They don't need to go to Westland to get a gun."

He also noted that ownership of automatic weapons is tightly controlled by the federal government. "It is 100 percent demonstratively false that you can go to a gun show and come home with a machine gun," he said.

June 13, 2011
Middletown Journal - Final vote expected on 'guns in bars' bill

"For gun owners, it's a huge deal," Jim Irvine, chairman of the Buckeye Firearms Association, said.

June 13, 2011
NRANews.com

June 12, 2011
Gun Talk Radio Show

June 12, 2011
The Independent - Ohio about to eliminate ban on having guns in bars, restaurants

"Our objective is to create an environment where law-abiding citizens are free to protect themselves in any and all places they can find themselves throughout the course of their day," said Rick Kaleda, Northeast Ohio representative of the Buckeye Firearm Association, which with the National Rifle Association is pushing for the change.

..."How do they do it today?" Kaleda said, when asked how bar and restaurant owners would know when to serve a customer. "You can ban guns and you can ban baseball bats and you can ban all these things. But making something illegal only has an impact on the people who choose to abide by the law.

"The people who are fighting for this right are people who abide by the law and don’t violate it in the first place," he said. "The people who are going to break the law are just an element of society you just can't control with laws."

Kaleda said opponents are trying to paint pictures of wild west saloons, but that those efforts continue to fall short. He said the motivation isn't necessarily to bring guns into bars, even though that's how some people have framed the discussion.

"That's really not necessarily what we're asking for," he said. "Coincidentally, in Ohio there's no way to differentiate liquor licenses between a bar and a restaurant that serves alcohol. A lot of people are jumping up and down saying, 'guns and alcohol don't mix.' Frankly, many of the leaders of our organization are firearms instructors and will be the first to say the two don't mix. We're not asking to mix them."

June 10, 2011
Outdoor Wire - This Week on Gun Talk Radio: Guns and the Media

Also on Gun Talk this week, Chad Baus, Vice Chairman of Ohio's Buckeye Firearms Association. In his most recent online article on www.buckeyefirearms.org, Baus examines a three-part series of articles titled "Overrun by Guns", published last week in The Columbus Dispatch. The problem Baus and many others have with these articles written by a Dispatch journalist is that they were paid for - and paid for by The Joyce Foundation, a notorious anti-gun rights organization.

June 8, 2011
NRANews.com

June 8, 2011
Associated Press - Ohio sports venues won't allow concealed weapons

Ohio would remain in the minority of states that ban people from having firearms if they're consuming alcohol, said Ken Hanson, legislative chairman for the Buckeye Firearms Association.

"We're still taking the baby-step restrictive approach on this," he said.

June 6, 2011
NRANews.com

June 4, 2011
WKBN's (570AM) "Mahoning Valley Sportsman" radio program with host Mike Krake

June 1, 2011
The Lantern - Ohio bill in the line of fire, supporters stick to their guns

Linda Walker, Central Ohio Chair of Buckeye Firearms Association, said despite what many think, guns and alcohol will not be mixing.

"Guns and alcohol aren't going to mix because this is zero consumption," Walker said. "When you are carrying you cannot be under the influence, not even half a beer."

The proposed law would make consuming any amount of alcohol while carrying your weapon a felony.

Walker said while anti-gun advocates are focusing more on carrying in bars, for many concealed carry supporters, the desire to be able to defend themselves in restaurants is the driving force behind both bills.

"We're only asking to be able to defend our self-defense when we go out with our family for lunch or dinner," Walker said. "It's really no different from me going to dinner at Bob Evans and carrying, but I can't go across the street to Applebee's and do the same thing just because Applebee's has a bar."

...Jim Irvine, chairman of the Buckeye Firearms Association said the bills have been blown out of proportion.

"It's a cleanup bill from last session," Irvine said. "It's aligning us with the rest of the country. Everyone knows drinking and driving doesn't mix, but it doesn't mean you can't drive to a bar."

May 29, 2011
Lancaster Eagle-Gazette - Bar owners coming up with ways to deter gun carriers

Because Ohio's liquor permits do not differentiate the type of business for which they are issued, a change in the law cannot be limited to specific businesses, Eaton said.

Bar owners argue that regulating who is carrying a gun while drunk is difficult -- if not impossible --and that its unlikely someone carrying a weapon will go into a bar without having a drink.

That argument is "looking for a straw that's not there," said Joe Eaton, legislative director for the Buckeye Firearms Association, which lobbied for the law.

Concealed carry permit holders have to complete a rigorous course to get the permit and would not risk losing it, Eaton argued.

Ohio law requires 10 hours of instruction and two hours of experience shooting a handgun as a prerequisite to obtaining a permit. Felony or violent misdemeanor offenses and drug offenses also could disqualify an applicant from receiving a permit.

...The proposed law also will allow liquor permit holders to prohibit guns from being carried inside their businesses.

"We're going back to really putting the decision back on the business owner," Eaton said. "They will have the choice."

May 28, 2011
The News-Herald - Ohio fires up gun changes

Buckeye Firearms Association Chairman Jim Irvine said of the 46 states that have gun control laws, 42 allow them in bars and restaurants. And, unlike the Ohio law, about 20 states actually allow the weapon holder to consume alcohol while carrying.

"There's no talk of changing the law in any of those states to make it like our (current law)," Irvine said. "It's not a problem anywhere. But here it's getting so blown out of proportion, it's ridiculous."

...Supporters, however, maintain that the law is not only fair for concealed weapon holders, it also could prevent headaches for out-of-state travelers who may not be familiar with Ohio's current restaurant and bar gun ban.

"It's basically entrapment for them," Irvine said.

May 25, 2011
NRANews.com

May 23, 2011
NRANews.com

May 23, 2011
Akron Beacon-Journal - Ohio fires up gun changes

Ken Hanson, legislative chairman for the Buckeye Firearms Association, a group that lobbied for the bill, said Ohio is simply following neighboring states that have similar gun-carrying laws.

He denounced criticism that the law will endanger bar and restaurant patrons.

"Your right to self-defense doesn't end simply because you enter an Applebee's rather than a Wendy's," he said.

May 22, 2011
Cleveland Plain Dealer - Ohio poised to approve concealed-carry law allowing guns in bars, restaurants and stadiums

The bill is part of a nationwide strategy by the National Rifle Association to expand concealed carry laws in every state. The NRA didn't consider Kasich a Second Amendment fan when it ripped his gun-rights record in Congress during last year's gubernatorial campaign. And locally, the Buckeye Firearms Association followed the NRA's lead by running ads against Kasich.

The powerful gun lobby's favorable rating and support of former Democratic Gov. Ted Strickland nearly cost Kasich the close election. Now Kasich finds himself being asked to support a bill backed by the gun lobby.

...Supporters describe the bill as a personal safety measure, a "use-in-case-of-emergency" tool should they ever find themselves confronted by violence in a bar or restaurant by someone who is illegally carrying a gun.

They also note that the bill makes it clear that someone legally carrying a concealed weapon cannot also be drinking or already drunk. Violating that rule is a felony and likely would lead to the loss of gun carry privileges, a punishment no lawful gun owner would risk, supporters say.

Supporters also note that concealed carry in bars elsewhere has not conjured up scenes from the "Wild, Wild West." And they note that the measure would not override another state provision that gives any owner of a bar, restaurant, store or stadium the right to post signs stating that firearms are prohibited on their premises.

"The Browns and Cavs already have the ability to post their buildings with no firearms, that's not going to change," said Jim Irvine, of the Buckeye Firearms Association. "The big thing with this bill is get the government out of it. Let the individuals run their businesses the way they want."

May 18, 2011
The Journal-News - Area gun owner defends bill to carry guns in bars

For the approximately 250,000 licensed concealed carry gun-holders in Ohio, the pending House Bill 45 provides them with more options of where to spend their money, one proponent of the legislation said.

Joe Eaton, the Southwest Ohio regional chair of the Buckeye Firearms Association, said the main sentiment behind the bill is to allow for more choice.

"Everyone will agree that guns and alcohol don't mix, but the fact they don't mix is a nonstarter because the bill does not allow that at all," Eaton said.

House Bill 45 would allow citizens with concealed carry permits to legally take their guns into bars or restaurants that serve alcohol but they cannot consume it. Current law prohibits a person from possessing a firearm in any room of an establishment that has been issued a D liquor permit, according to the Ohio Legislative Commission Service.

D liquor permits apply to "community entertainment" establishments, such as retail carryouts, bars, restaurants and enclosed shopping malls, according to the legislative commission service.

"There are more than 40 states that have similar laws," said Eaton, who has had a conceal carry weapon license since 2004. "I don't know why Ohio citizens are thought to be any different than other citizens in other states."

Eaton said it's up to the CCW holder to obey the law, comparing it to how people obey drunken driving laws.

Private businesses still will retain the right to post signs declaring their properties off limits to guns as they do under current law, Eaton said.

May 17, 2011
NRANews.com

May 15, 2011
Armed American Radio

May 13, 2011
Cleveland Plain Dealer - Outdoors Insider

Linda Walker of Alexandria, the Central Ohio chairman of the Buckeye Firearms Associations, was elected to the National Rifle Association's Board of Directors.

May 12, 2011
Ohio News Network - New Gun Laws Would Allow More Rights

After months of debate on a proposed concealed carry law, the Ohio gun lobby put its aim on wavering lawmakers, reported ONN's Jim Heath.

"Speaker Batchelder, bring this to the floor for a vote so that we know where we stand," warned Linda Walker of the Buckeye Firearms Association last week.

Wednesday night, the House did vote and overwhelmingly passed the bill. It will allow guns in restaurants, and bars. Proponents say it's a victory for Second Amendment rights.

..."If you look at all the states around Ohio, none of these states are strict carry in a car and none of them have a strict carry in a restaurant that serves alcohol. So it's a change that's long overdue," says Ken Hanson from the Buckeye Firearms Association.

If Kasich signs the bill, it could help restore relations between himself and the gun lobby. The NRA and Buckeye Firearms Association both endorsed former governor Ted Strickland in last year's campaign.

May 12, 2011
The Times-Reporter - Ohio House bill may allow guns in bars

The biggest supporters of the bill were the Buckeye Firearms Association and Ohioans for Concealed Carry, two gun rights groups that lobbied lawmakers.

May 11, 2011
Cleveland Plain Dealer - Guns in bars and restaurants bill passes Ohio House

The biggest supporters of the bill were the Buckeye Firearms Association and Ohioans for Concealed Carry, two gun rights groups that lobbied lawmakers heavily.

May 8, 2011
WBZI 1500 AM's "The Great Outdoors" radio program

May 6, 2011
WSPD 1370 AM's "The Afternoon Drive" radio program

May 5, 2011
WKSU Public Radio 89.7FM - Gun control group issues failing grade to Ohio

A new report card by a gun-control group gives Ohio a nine out of 100 points in its efforts to tackle handgun violence. But, WKSU’s M.L. Schultze reports that gun advocates say the report ignores important factors – including education. The Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence says the Buckeye State’s low-ranking is long term and deserved. It cites, among other things, the lack of required background checks for purchases at gun shows. Toby Hoover of the Ohio Coalition Against Gun Violence says common sense would dictate such checks, and other limits on guns in public places, just as it dictates that there be speed limits. But Jim Irvine of the Buckeye Firearms Association, gun education is a crucial requirement, and one he’d like to see Ohio law take further. Irvine and Hoover disagree over one central premise. He says guns make people safer. She says they increase risk. Irvine argues that guns – with proper training – help people avoid being victims. The Brady campaign’s Hoover says background checks would help keep guns out of the hands of the criminals who make others victims. She also criticized an effort in the state Legislature to allow people to carry guns into bars.

May 1, 2011
WBZI 1500 AM's "The Great Outdoors" radio program

April 30, 2011
WHIO 1290 AM's "Shootin' From the Hip" radio program

April 28, 2011
NRANews.com

April 27, 2011
The Morning Journal - Gun rights group slams Lundy

An Ohio gun rights group has accused state Rep. Matt Lundy of lying to get their endorsement.

The Buckeye Firearms Association this week has published advertisements accusing the Elyria Democrat of turning his back on Ohio gun owners.

The ads reveal Lundy's answers to questions about legislation that would change Ohio's rules for carrying a concealed handgun in restaurants and transporting a gun in a vehicle.

"He told us in no uncertain terms that he would support our bills," said Jim Irvine, chairman of Buckeye Firearms Association. "Now that he's in office, he appears to be working against us. If that's not lying, I don't know what is."

Yesterday, Lundy acknowledged he will not support the bill, known as House Bill 45, which is awaiting a vote by the House legislators. Lundy voted against the bill in committee.

Lundy said he had not yet seen the exact ads from the Buckeye Firearms Association.

"Obviously, I'm disappointed," Lundy said about the ads.

The bill would allow concealed-carry permit holders to take guns into restaurants and bars, Lundy said.

"I've made my position clear that I believe the concealed carry owners would act responsibly," Lundy said. "My concern is about others in the bar consuming alcohol. That's where I think the problem arises. My concern always is that someone will take the gun away from them."

Before endorsing any candidate, Buckeye Firearms Association researches each candidate to determine their position on gun issues and pending legislation. Part of that research is a detailed questionnaire asking direct, specific questions to find out exactly where a candidate stands and whether he or she plans to help when bills come up for a vote.

"Our intention is to keep survey results confidential so that candidates can feel comfortable providing honest answers," Irvine said. "But we will never provide cover for a candidate who tells us what we want to hear on our survey to earn an endorsement and gun owners' votes, only to break that agreement after getting elected."

On the questionnaire, Lundy told gun owners he was with them all the way, according to the Buckeye Firearms Association ad.

"Here is how he answered our specific questions:

"Question 15 — Complying with confusing and unnecessary car carry restrictions continues to be a serious problem for Concealed Handgun License holders. Will you support legislation that protects Ohio license holders and out-of-state visitors by removing these restrictions?

"Lundy answered, 'Yes.'

"Question 16 — It is a felony to carry a firearm into restaurants and other locations that serve alcohol for consumption on premises. Will you support eliminating that restriction for concealed handgun license holders?

"Lundy answered, 'Yes. But only if the license holder is not consuming alcohol, intoxicated, or under the influence.'

"Without his 'Yes' answers, Lundy would not have qualified for the 'A' grade we gave him, let alone the endorsement that came with it," the Buckeye Firearms Association ad said. Irvine's statements and the full text of the ad are available at www.buckeyefirearms.org.

Lundy said he remains a strong supporter of the Second Amendment.

Law enforcement groups and constituents also have argued against guns in bars, Lundy said.

The Buckeye Firearms Association "just didn't get the vote they wanted this time, but I work for my constituents and this was the view they strongly expressed to me," Lundy said.

Yesterday, officers from the Fraternal Order of Police of Ohio Inc. and the Buckeye State Sheriff's Association said their groups oppose allowing guns in restaurants and bars.

"Guns and alcohol just don't mix," said Erie County Sheriff Terry Lyons, who also is president of the Buckeye State Sheriff's Association.

April 26, 2011
The Lantern - Students up in arms over Ohio gun ban

"(College campuses) are a very easy mark for the criminal because they generally know there is no one there who can defend themselves," said Linda Walker, Central Ohio Chair of Buckeye Firearms Association.

April 26, 2011
The Morning Journal - Gun rights group alleges Rep. Lundy lied for votes

An Ohio gun rights group has accused state Rep. Matt Lundy of lying to get their endorsement.

The Buckeye Firearms Association this week has published advertisements accusing the Elyria Democrat of turning his back on Ohio gun owners.

The ads reveal Lundy's answers to questions about legislation that would change Ohio's rules for carrying a concealed handgun in restaurants and transporting a gun in a vehicle.

"He told us in no uncertain terms that he would support our bills," said Jim Irvine, Chairman of Buckeye Firearms Association. "Now that he's in office, he appears to be working against us. If that's not lying, I don't know what is."

Before endorsing any candidate, Buckeye Firearms Association researches each candidate to determine their position on gun issues and pending legislation. Part of that research is a detailed questionnaire asking direct, specific questions to find out exactly where a candidate stands and whether he or she plans to help when bills come up for a vote.

"Our intention is to keep survey results confidential so that candidates can feel comfortable providing honest answers," Irvine said. "But we will never provide cover for a candidate who tells us what we want to hear on our survey to earn an endorsement and gun owners’ votes, only to break that agreement after getting elected."

On the questionnaire, Lundy told gun owners he was with them all the way, according to the Buckeye Firearms Association ad.

"Here is how he answered our specific questions:

"Question 15 — Complying with confusing and unnecessary car carry restrictions continues to be a serious problem for Concealed Handgun License holders. Will you support legislation that protects Ohio license holders and out-of-state visitors by removing these restrictions?

"Lundy answered, 'Yes.'

"Question 16 — It is a felony to carry a firearm into restaurants and other locations that serve alcohol for consumption on premises. Will you support eliminating that restriction for concealed handgun license holders?

"Lundy answered, 'Yes. But only if the license holder is not consuming alcohol, intoxicated, or under the influence.'

"Without his 'Yes' answers, Lundy would not have qualified for the 'A' grade we gave him, let alone the endorsement that came with it," the Buckeye Firearms Association ad said.

Now, it appears Lundy opposes the House legislation that would change Ohio’s rules about carrying guns in cars and restaurants, according to the Buckeye Firearms Association ad.

"Matt Lundy gave gun owners his word that if they voted for him, he would be with them when they needed his vote," the Buckeye Firearms Association ad said. "Now that we need his support on these issues, he is turning his back on us and the Ohio gun owners he represents."

Read more about this issue in Wednesday's edition of The Morning Journal.

April 26, 2011
The Chronicle-Telegram - Group takes shot at Lundy over concealed carry vote

An Ohio gun owners' rights group has accused state Rep. Matt Lundy, D-Elyria, of lying to get its endorsement in last November's election.

In an advertisement taken out in local newspapers, The Buckeye Firearms Association said that Lundy misrepresented himself when he told them he backed changing the laws governing how concealed carry permit holders handle their weapons in vehicles and whether they're allowed to take their guns into restaurants that sell alcohol.

When asked on the organization's questionnaire whether he would support concealed carry permit holders to remain armed in establishments that sell alcohol, the ad said Lundy responded, "Yes. But only if the license holder in not consuming alcohol, intoxicated, or under the influence."

The association said that Lundy has since voted against bringing the law out of a committee in the Ohio House of Representatives and has even introduced amendments that gun owners oppose, including one that would make concealed carry permit holders' information a public record.

"Matt Lundy gave gun owners his word that if they voted for him, he would be with them when they needed his vote," the ad, which has not appeared in The Chronicle-Telegram, said. "Now that we need his support on these issues, he is turning his back on us and the Ohio gun owners he represents."

But Lundy denied that he was trying to deceive anyone and remains a strong proponent of the Second Amendment.

"I'm disappointed, but I've been very clear that I support the Second Amendment," he said.

He said he gave brief answers to the questions provided to him by the association, but has additional concerns about allowing the carrying of guns into bars and restaurants.

He said his worry isn't what concealed carry permit holders will do in an establishment selling alcohol, but rather what others who are drinking might to do get their hands on a gun carried by a valid permit holder.

Jim Irvine, the association's chairman, said everyone is entitled to their opinion, but he feels that Lundy wasn't being truthful when he answered the survey sent to candidates.

"He's in a tight district and he wants our support," Irvine said. "I don't know why he told us one thing and did another."

The association has never taken the step of taking out newspaper ads accusing candidates of lying before, but then it hasn't encountered a problem like this before, Irvine said.

Irvine also said he's tried to contact Lundy several times to discuss the issue, but Lundy hasn't returned his calls. Lundy said he's called Irvine back, but hasn't been able to reach him.

The legislation is now pending before the full House of Representatives, Lundy said.

April 24, 2011
Salem News - Wilson's gun law bill gains passage

The bill was lauded by the Buckeye Firearms Association (BFA), one of the organizations that approached Wilson about introducing the legislation.

"For the second session in a row, Sen. Wilson has sponsored this critically needed fix to Ohio's restoration of rights of statute," wrote Ken Hanson of the BFA.

April 21, 2011
WCPN 90.3 FM (Cleveland) "The Sound of Ideas"

April 20, 2011
The Sun Post-Herald - Senate OKs guns-in-bars legislation; faces uncertain future in House

Supporters, such as Rick Kaleda of the Buckeye Firearm Association, argue the bill would allow Ohio to catch up with the gun laws that already exist in the majority of the country. According to Kaleda, 42 states, including all of those adjoining Ohio, allow non-drinking license holders to carry firearms in restaurants.

"There's no reason to expect that Ohioans will be less responsible than our neighbors in Pennsylvania or West Virginia," Kaleda said. "We're trying to get the statute for concealed carry to match the gun ownership rights federally. And we’re after restaurants, not the nearest watering hole."

April 15, 2011
WLW 700 AM (Cincinnati) "The Big Show with Bill Cunningham"

April 14, 2011
NRANews.com

April 14, 2011
Ohio News Network - Concealed Weapon Bill Meeting Opposition

Last year a concealed weapon bill that would have allowed guns in restaurants and bars came up short in the Ohio House when Democratic Speaker Armond Budish refused to allow a vote.

There is now a Republican speaker, but the gun lobby remains disappointed, ONN's Jim Heath reported on Thursday.

"We expected it to be a done deal because we started off on the fast track," said Linda Walker with the Buckeye Firearms Assoc. "We thought 'wow' we will get this passed."

The bill did easily pass the Ohio State Senate on Wednesday, but now Republican House Speaker Bill Batchelder said that he may not have the votes to get it through his chamber.

Batchelder said that he got a lot of opposition from the Ohio Restaurant Association.

"We simply feel that alcohol and guns are not a good mix," said the Ohio Restaurant Association. "We encourage you to vote against this or any proposal that would allow guns in restaurants with liquor permits."

Walker now wants Batchelder to have a vote to find out which lawmakers don't support the bill, Heath reported.

"Speaker Batchelder, bring this to the floor for a vote so that we know where we stand," Walker said. "If it doesn't pass, we'll know which representative will not get our support next year with endorsements."

Even with a huge GOP majority, Batchelder said that he may not have the votes to pass it. Gov. John Kasich told ONN back in January that he would most likely sign the bill.

Right now there is no word on if or when House Republicans will put the bill to a vote.

April 14, 2011
WEWS (ABC Cleveland) - Senate OKs bill to allow concealed guns in OH bars

Advocates of Ohio's concealed carry law hailed the senate's passage of the bill, saying it could keep guns out of the wrong hands.

"We've had problems where people have gone into restaurants and either their gun was stolen out of their car or their whole car was stolen," said Jim Irvine, chariman of the Buckeye Firearms Association.

"We want to keep the guns with the license holder where it's safe," Irvine said.

April 14, 2011
Ohio News Network - Ohio Senate Passes Concealed Weapon Bill

Under the new legislation, people will be able carry a concealed gun into a bar or restaurant but they are not allowed to drink alcohol.

"Is it going to be up to me to make sure that before I serve them a drink I have to frisk them? Or will I have to put a metal detector at the front door to see if they have a gun?" Sizemore asked.

"How do (bar owners) check today when a criminal brings a firearm in? It would be illegal the moment he walks in the door," said Joe Eaton from the Buckeye Firearms Association.

Eaton said that more than 40 states already allow concealed guns to be carried into bars, Tan reported.

"We are really just trying to align Ohio laws with what the majority of the states already have," Eaton said. "A lot of it is convenience and personal protection issue."

Eaton and other proponents argue that those with a concealed license are responsible law abiding citizens no matter where they go.

"I am not a different person or my attitude doesn't change just because I carry a gun," Eaton said.

Eaton said that a Wild West kind of shoot-out just won't happen.

"There have not been any problems. We are allowing people their own choice to protect their family," Eaton said.

April 14, 2011
WKYC (NBC Cleveland) - Guns in bars: Safe move?

Buckeye Firearms Association Chairman Jim Irvine says concealed weapons in bars or restaurants are no more unsafe than the places you are already permitted to carry them.

April 14, 2011
The Dayton Daily News - Senate OKs guns-in-bars legislation; faces uncertain future in House

Law enforcement groups and the Ohio Restaurant Association oppose the bill while support came from the National Rifle Association, Ohioans for Concealed Carry and the Buckeye Firearms Association.

April 13, 2011
The Columbus Dispatch and Associated Press - Bill for concealed guns in bars advances in state Senate

Supporters of the bill say it is necessary to allow permit-holders to protect themselves.

"These restrictions can and do serve to create victim zones where people must stand helplessly if a criminal chooses that day and place to commit violence," Ken Hanson of the Buckeye Firearms Association told committee members.

"The claim that alcohol and guns don't mix is an emotional red herring with a side of wild goose."

The bill also would remove restrictions on how permit-holders transport their weapons while driving. Under current law, guns must be carried in a holster, locked case or unlocked container in plain sight.

Supporters of the bill say that Ohio is among only three states with such restrictions.

April 3, 2011
Gun Talk Radio Show

March 28, 2011
Philadelphia Weekly - Nutter and Ramsey Call For New Ammunition Ban in U.S. Congress

The NRA claims 30-round magazines are necessary so Americans can protect themselves against large, angry mobs. Others have claimed after the ban is passed, those already in possession of 30-round magazines would be at risk of prosecution, citing the language of the bill's grandfather clause. "However, the bill's "grandfather clause" for possession of pre-ban magazines would only create an affirmative defense—forcing defendants to prove that they possessed the magazines before the ban," writes Buckeye Firearms Association.

Further, BFA believes it's only law-abiding citizens who'd be denied the magazines since "[a]nything that common can be stolen or bought on the black market" – a common complaint among Second Amendment enthusiasts.

March 20, 2011
WBZI 1500 AM's "The Great Outdoors" radio program

March 16, 2011
NRANews.com

March 6, 2011
WBZI 1500 AM's "The Great Outdoors" radio program

March 6, 2011
Armed American Radio

March 3, 2011
Cleveland Plain Dealer - 2010 Ohio concealed-carry licenses fall short of record in 2009

Rick Kaleda -- Northeast Ohio chairman of Buckeye Firearms -- agreed that the number of licenses follows a predictable pattern. But he said Ohioans with licenses only represent a fraction of the population that supports the rights of others to carry those weapons.

[Toby] Hoover and Kaleda this week said they were more focused on some state lawmakers' push to allow concealed-carry license holders to bring guns into bars and restaurants that serve alcohol.

Hoover, who testified before lawmakers Monday, said it will be impossible to tell the good guys from the bad if Ohioans can carry guns in restaurants.

Kaleda -- who trains people to get their concealed-carry license in Youngstown -- disagreed. All but three of the 70 classes he's taught included at least one member of the clergy, he said.

The good guys, Kaleda said, are the people who get the training to carry weapons to take care of the bad guys.

NOTE: Kaleda was misquoted in this article. "I never said 'to take care of the bad guys' Frankly I am not sure I have ever used the term 'bad guys.' I was really hoping she would take something from me explaining I was doing the interview from my office in Pennsylvania where I could carry in any restaurant and have been able to for years. I explained to her that the concept of restraint carry is not new to the country, only new to Ohio. When those opposed to carry in general argued that it would create imaginary problems we pointed to other states who were not having those problems. And now that those (still opposed to carry) point to restauraunt carry as a sure step towards problems, again we point to the states, like the one I work in, and say...there are no problems."

February 27, 2011
Gun Talk Radio Show

February 24, 2011
The Other Paper - Gun toters' paradise - Is Ohio about to arm bar-hoppers and drug offenders?

Distracted opposition doesn’t bother gun advocates, who are watching as both chambers race to push legislation that would ease gun restrictions in Ohio. The laws, as proposed, would permit concealed guns in bars, loosen restrictions on how guns must be carried in vehicles and restore gun access for misdemeanor drug offenders.

And while everybody is being completely honest, Buckeye Firearms Association president Jim Irvine will tell you that these bills were thoroughly vetted—in 2010.

"These bills had their fair share of scrutiny last session," Irvine said.

In fact, Ohioans with concealed carry permits would be toting their pistols in and out of Applebee's Happy Hour right now if it weren't for former House Speaker Armond Budish. The Democrat was credited—or blamed—for putting the kibosh on nearly identical measures passed in the Ohio Senate last year.

While former Democratic Gov. Ted Strickland—a strong Second Amendment supporter—had been eager to sign the bills, and advocates had enough votes to get the thing passed, Budish refused to put the measure up for a vote and let the bills die in the Ohio House in December.

However, gun advocates see no similar roadblocks in the current Statehouse, and both laws have been re-introduced with better prospects.

"The legislature is at least as pro-gun now, if not more pro-gun than the last session," Irvine said.

And that’s why, despite brand new public opinion polls suggesting Ohioans aren’t quite cozy with the idea of mixing bullets and bars, the bills are expected to pass by summer. Whether they’ll get Gov. John Kasich’s approval is another question all together.

Gov. John Kasich is the proud owner of a handgun, according to a spokesman in his office.

Beyond that, gun advocates are trying to check the pulse of Kasich's trigger finger in hopes of anticipating how he'll react when the pro-gun bills make it to his desk. And they're a little nervous considering how the NRA made him out to be such a nasty devil during his gubernatorial campaign.

"He wasn't the guy we endorsed," the BFA's Irvine said, "but the election is water under the bridge now. We look forward to working with him."

These bills will be the first test in determining what kind of chip Kasich may carry on his shoulder after gun rights advocates wholly supported his opponent last November.

...Concealed-carry permit holders are educated and trained as part of their permitting process, and they're the last people the public needs to be concerned about, Irvine argues. Those who would take a permit holder's gun illegally are a bigger threat to society.

"Once people become educated about these issues, things start to sound a lot more reasonable," Irvine said.

February 23, 2011
WCMH (NBC Columbus) - Guns Expected To Be A Hot Topic At State Of The City Address

Linda Walker is with the Buckeye Firearms Association.

"What Mayor Coleman needs to do is address the core of the proble. That would be gangs and illegal drugs," Walker said.

She said this push is really just for show over action.

"The criminal isn't getting a gun at the gun store or a gun show they are stealing them, they are criminals," Walker said.

February 23, 2011
NRANews.com

February 21, 2011
WKSU Public Radio 89.7FM - Fix Gun Checks tour comes to Youngstown

Buckeye Firearms Association chairman Jim Irvine says gun regulations have made it tougher for firearms dealers to get a federal license that would allow them to do background checks. He says loosening the costs and restrictions would create more federal firearms dealers and fewer private dealers.

Irvine also says that high-profile shootings have been mischaracterized by gun opponents.

"These crimes never happen in a police station. They never happen in a gun store. They don't happen in a place where everybody's armed because they can't. Because one lone gunman can't go kill 30 people that are armed to protect themselves. He has to go to a place where we have altered the law and disarmed every victim so that they're easy for him to kill."

February 7, 2011
Cleveland Plain Dealer - Community leaders call for Abbot John Henry to take leave from St. Herman's House of Hospitality after police find more guns

Ken Hanson, the legislative chairman of the Buckeye Firearms Association in Ohio, defended Henry's right under the Second Amendment to have the guns.

"There is nothing illegal about owning that quantity of guns," Hanson said. "It's certainly not unusual in the people that I am familiar with."

February 6, 2011
Lorain Morning-Journal - Locked and loaded: Concealed carry grows as critics’ fears of ‘bloodbath’ proven wrong

The concern about an increase in violent crimes among license holders was unfounded from the start, said Rick Kaleda of the Buckeye Firearms Association. The group's website describes it as "a grassroots political action committee dedicated to defending and advancing the right of Ohio citizens to own and use firearms for all legal activities, including self-defense, hunting, competition and recreation. We work to elect pro-gun candidates and lobby for pro-gun legislation."

Of the growth of concealed carry in Ohio, Kaleda said, "I expect the trend to continue. I think a lot of the increase has to do with awareness and comfortability with the law.

"As time goes, those folks have licenses in hand, then it gets to be word of mouth and start talking about different scenarios, things that will occur in people's lives, crime in their area. They say 'Maybe I should get a gun, get training.'"

February 2, 2011
The People's Defender - Gun rights groups meet with Bubp

State Reps. Danny Bubp (R-West Union) and Terry Johnson (R-McDermott) recently introduced legislation to amend Ohio's concealed carry laws to make them simpler and consistent with other states. To mark the introduction of this bill, members of the Buckeye Firearms Association and the National Rifle Association visited the Statehouse and met with the representatives prior to the introduction of HB 45.

January 27, 2011
Ironton Tribune - Reps. Bubp, Johnson introduce concealed carry legislation

This legislation was originally introduced during the previous General Assembly as Senate Bill 239, which received the support of the National Rifle Association, the Buckeye Firearms Association and Ohioans for Concealed Carry.

January 26, 2011
NRANews.com

January 24, 2011
WCMH (NBC Columbus) - Mayor Coleman Wants To Toughen Gun Laws

"Unfortunately, every time there's a tragedy that happens all the anti-gun people go nuts," says Linda Walker, Central Ohio Chair of the Buckeye Firearms Association.

Mayor Coleman says this effort was in the works prior to the shooting in Arizona, however Walker says mayors should be focusing their efforts on issues such as drugs and gangs to get crime levels down.

"The only person gun control affects is the law abiding citizen,” says Walker. “It doesn’t affect the criminal."

January 24, 1011
WDTN (NBC Dayton) - Gun poll says no new laws needed

According to Joe Eaton, a regional spokesman for the Buckeye Firearms Association, more laws were not the answer to prevent such violent shootings.

"You can put all the laws out there, but again criminals by definition are going to ignore those laws whatever you do, and they're ignoring the ones already out there," said Eaton.

Eaton said there were already thousands of gun control laws on the books, most of which were not even being enforced.

"We have laws that are in place and if they want to expand those anymore they've got to show that the ones that are already there in place are making a difference, or that they are effective," said Eaton.

Eaton said more laws would only punish good citizens out there who wanted to buy a gun to protect themselves.

The criminals would find a way to get their hands on a weapon the way they have always done, that was illegally.

January 20, 2011
Cleveland Plain Dealer - Shooting of Cleveland officer brings Giffords-inspired gun rights battle to Ohio

Cleveland Police Patrolmen's Association President Steve Loomis also said Thursday that weapons with extended clips should not be legal.

"Unfortunately, as we saw last night, they are out there and are the reality law enforcement has to combat every day," he said.

Gun rights advocates dispute that argument.

Jim Irvine, chairman of the Buckeye Firearms Association, said that extended magazines are useful for zeroing-in rifle sights, for target practice and for self-defense.

"The gun is not dangerous," Irvine said in an interview Thursday. "Guns save lives. It's when guns get into the hands of the wrong people that it is dangerous."

The group's legislative chair, Ken Hanson, said that state law already prohibits firearms with magazines that hold more than 30 rounds. Hanson concedes that the law wouldn't have prohibited Proctor from carrying a 30-round weapon. But other laws would have.

The problem is in the criminal justice system and the enforcement of current laws, Hanson said. Existing laws prohibit felons from carrying firearms. Proctor had a 2010 drug conviction and was sentenced to six months in prison in April.

January 17, 2011
WOSU 820 AM's "NPR News" - Despite Reports of Spike, Gun Stores Fail To See Increase in Sales

The news article says the FBI is the source of the information. But Bill Carter, an FBI spokesman in Washington says the Bureau does not release such date-specific numbers. Rather the figures it releases are year-by-year comparisons. Still an officer in the Buckeye Firearms Association believes that stockpiling does occur when people become fearful that their guns will be taken away. Linda Walker is the group's Central Ohio Chair.

"With the devastating massacre in Arizona, especially with the political climate that we've got right now people get real concerned about their 2nd Amendment rights," Walker says. "So generally that's when you see people going out and quickly purchasing whatever they feel could be potentially legislated against."

Even though the reported spike in gun sales has not been corroborated, Linda Walker says it is feasible that gun purchases have actually increased.

January 16, 2011
WBZI 1500 AM's "The Great Outdoors" radio program

January 15, 2011
Delaware Gazette - Anti-Kasich blog could influence prosecutor race

Should the use of a crude phrase to describe Governor John Kasich's stance on gun control disqualify a Republican party member from being appointed to office in Delaware County?

Ken Hanson doesn't think so, but thinks that's happening. He wrote the phrase "Fast forward to late October, when the race is in a statistical dead heat, and all of a sudden Kasich is finding religion like a nervous whore in church on Sunday," to criticize what he sees as Kasich's record on gun issues. The phrase was part of an Oct. 28 blog post Hanson wrote for the Buckeye Firearms Association, where Hanson holds an official position.

Hanson is among three local attorneys who have applied to replace former Republican Delaware County Prosecutor Dave Yost, who was elected Auditor of State. The Delaware County GOP is set to appoint a new prosecutor next Wednesday.

The post in question referred to Kasich's campaign for governor. In it, Hanson accuses Kasich of avoiding discussion on his views on Second Amendment issues until the race was nearly over.

Hanson said Republican State Representative Andrew Brenner called him Thursday to say that Kasich is upset with the post.

Now, Hanson believes Kasich and his associates are trying to pressure him out of the race for appointment as county prosecutor.

"Why are state level officials calling everyone I've worked with for the last seven or eight years and saying, don't you dare support Ken Hanson. Why is that happening?" Hanson said.

The post, along with a second article also critical of Kasich, are mentioned in the county GOP screening committee report on Hanson. The committee provides recommendations for appointment to county offices. Because of the post, the committee revoked its recommendation of Hanson’s bid for office.

"We believe these articles could, and in fact were, construed by at least some members of the Screening Committee to be embarrassing," the committee wrote in its report, a copy of which was obtained by the Gazette.

The Buckeye Firearms Association (BFA) and the influential National Rifle Association (NRA) both endorsed Democrat Ted Strickland in the governor's race. Kasich received an "F" rating from the NRA during the 1990s, while Strickland had a "vibrant" pro-gun record, Hanson wrote.

Gerard Valentino, a freelance writer for the Buckeye Firearms Association, said Kasich is aware the gun groups criticize him.

In a meeting earlier this week with two Republican state legislators, Valentino said it was made clear to him that Kasich is "holding a grudge" and won't take any calls from the NRA or the BFA.

One legislator said during the meeting: "The governor will sign these bills, but isn't interested in meeting either you, or the Buckeye Firearms Association because of what you said," Valentino said.

Rob Nichols, Kasich's press secretary, did not comment when asked about the Buckeye Firearms Association and Hanson.

Hanson stands by his criticism, but has apologized for his exact wording of the post.

"I have offered an apology for those three words, but the balance of the article is 100 percent accurate, and I'm not apologizing for that," Hanson said.

Adam White, a member of the Republican screening committee, said a draft of a screening report recommending Hanson was about to be sent out when someone delivered Hanson’s critical posts to the committee at the 11th hour.

White, an outspoken party member, said people in "state offices" contacted him to pressure him to change his vote recommending Hanson. He said he is also upset that party leadership disqualified Delaware attorney Robert Owens due to the fact that Owens ran under the Constitution Party banner for Ohio attorney general the past two general elections.

"We don't have anybody to choose from now," White said. "We're getting bullied around by the party, and it's not right. It's business as usual," White said.

Delaware County GOP Chair Bob Mann denies any higher political powers are flexing their political muscles in Delaware County. He said no one from the state party in Kasich's office contacted him or any party leadership that he knows of.

"I think the articles kind of speak for themselves," Mann said. "I guess all I can say is, when you oppose and write derogatory things about John Kasich, (Republican Ohio Attorney General) Mike DeWine, (Ohio Republican Party Chair) Kevin DeWine and the state party itself, you put yourself in a difficult decision when you come to the county Republican Party and say, I want the county Republican Party to appoint me to a position."

With Owens out of the race, and with the screening committee's non-recommendation of Hanson, the path to the prosecutor's office would seem clear for current assistant prosecutor Carol O’Brien, who was already viewed as a strongly-credentialed candidate.

January 14, 2011
WorldNetDaily.com - WWII vet's heroism lives on in Arizona

January 13, 2011
Ohio Public Radio - Ohio leads the nation in spike in handgun sales immediately after Arizona shootings

January 10, 2011
WDTN (NBC Dayton) - Gun laws were in place, just not being enforced

Advocates of gun rights said, the answer was not to pass more laws, but to enforce those in place.

..."Truthfully most of the firearms used in illegal acts are either obtained thorugh a crime themselves or through other acquaintances like family members or things like that," said Joe Eaton, the Southwestern Ohio representative for the Buckeye Firearms Association.

Eaton said the obvious solution would be to aggressively crack down and punish those who were giving guns to felons or those deemed mentally unstable by the courts.

...Eaton said, after the Virginia Tech shootings gun laws changed, so now states had financial incentives to update their mental health database regularly, so that ATF officials could conduct more accurate background checks.

January 10, 2011
WLW 700 AM (Cincinnati) "The Big Show with Bill Cunningham"