Sportsmen's Alliance encourages YES vote on Issue 1

Note from Buckeye Firearms Association: Sportsmen's Alliance on June 29 published this editorial in support of the BFA-backed Issue 1, which would raise the threshold to 60% to approve Ohio Constitution amendment proposals.

On Aug. 8, Ohioans will vote on Issue 1, which would raise the bar to pass an amendment to Ohio's Constitution to 60%. Everyone who cares about protecting our outdoor heritage against the animal extremists needs to vote YES on this ballot measure and convince everyone you know to do the same.

The Sportsmen’s Alliance was founded in the late 1970s to fight a ballot initiative to ban trapping. Those who were around for that battle will remember that our victory was the result of a long and very expensive fight, with sportsmen throughout Ohio answering the call to send the anti’s packing back to the East and West coasts. Then later, the Sportsmen’s Alliance led the charge in the battle over mourning dove hunting and, once again, we prevailed. That too was a very long, hard-fought victory, and yes, it was very expensive.

In modern America, anti-hunters have billions of dollars at their disposal, so what Issue 1 is really about is protecting the Ohio Constitution against radical out-of-staters and their extremist ideologies. They want to come to Ohio, buy ballot victories and stuff their ideology down your throat. We must stop them. Ballot issues are our greatest vulnerability for one reason — they are almost always won by the side with the most money. The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) alone has nearly a quarter of a billion dollars at their disposal.

More on Issue 1: 4 big lies opponents are spreading about Issue 1

We’ve managed a lot of ballot issue campaigns in our 45-year history, and the facts are clear. The side that spends the most wins the vast majority of fights. This is the reality we face. America’s hunters and trappers are of modest means, and we simply cannot raise the multiple millions required to fight the anti-hunters on one ballot initiative after another when they can easily raise tens of millions in one fundraising appeal.

Issue 1 will guarantee that ballot issues will not be decided by those with the deepest pockets. Instead, if Issue 1 passes, it will require a 60% yes vote before Ohio’s Constitution – our founding document – is trifled with. Issue 1 levels the playing field. It protects our way of life. It tells the animal extremists that Ohio is not a place where their dangerous ideologies can be shoved down everyone’s throat.

Let’s do something for future generations. Let’s protect Ohio’s Constitution. On August 8, let’s stand together and vote YES on Issue 1. Early voting starts on July 11. Tell your friends and family that Issue 1 is about everything we want to protect for future generations. The Sportsmen’s Alliance will be updating Ohio’s sportsmen on this issue twice a week until election day, so stay tuned for additional information on how to stay involved and do your part.

Republished with permission of Sportsmen's Alliance, a grassroots organization that fights to protect and advance our outdoor heritage of hunting, fishing, trapping and shooting in all 50 state legislatures, in the courts, in Congress and at the ballot box.