Watch local government, candidates in this hyperlocal election year

As 2025 gets underway, it will be easy to focus on the national and global stories of the day, especially as Donald Trump returns to the Oval Office.

But don't let all of those big shiny objects distract you from the goings on in your own community. As former House Speaker Tip O'Neil often said, "All politics is local."

New members of city councils, township trustees, and school boards will be elected this fall, with primaries in some municipalities coming this spring, and you can bet many candidates are not staunch supporters of your gun rights.

You are likely aware of Cincinnati, Cleveland, and Columbus and their endless attacks on law-abiding gun owners under the guise of curbing gun violence. Cincinnati, for example, passed legislation in 2023 requiring gun owners to report stolen firearms or face fines. Granted, that's already a state law. But then the city wanted to hold those citizens' guns as ransom, to the tune of $200 if the guns are recovered and returned to an owner who didn't report the theft.

That action, like many others, is all for show and does nothing to curb violence or address the issues that lead to violence. They hate guns because it's a popular progressive view, and they want you to know it.

The courts have been inconsistent in recognizing the Ohio Supreme Court's 2010 ruling that ORC 9.68 — the preemption law — means cities are prohibited from enacting municipal gun laws. But without consequences like personal fines, such as what occurs in Florida, nothing is stopping these municipalities' leaders from wasting taxpayers' money on virtue signaling.

Watch elections in small towns and townships, even right-leaning ones

As we reported in February of 2023, RINO-led Cincinnati suburb Norwood took its shot at gun owners with an ordinance calling for the destruction of surplus firearms. The city council in January voted 6-1 to approve an ordinance that keeps the city from participating in any sale or auction of firearms.

All the Democrats voted in favor, as did a Republican.

Council member John Breadon, also a Republican, cast the only vote against it, calling it for what it was — "a symbolic gesture."

The Republican mayor joined the anti-gun chorus, using his disdain for firearms as an introduction to a city-sponsored safety class on how to react to seeing a pistol on someone's coffee table.

Councilman Beardon was the lone voice of reason and issued an reminder that elections have consequences:

If you are out there and you are like-minded like myself that really think that the Constitution is important and that our right to bear arms shall not be infringed upon — and that's exactly what it says — and I feel like that's what's happening. … I couldn't tell … if this was a gun haters club or if this was a gun safety. I couldn't really tell.

He reminded those who value the Second Amendment that 2023 was a hyperlocal election year, offering to help them make a difference. His words ring true again in 2025. If you are pro-gun, consider your own candidacy.

School boards limited in power, but vocal

Ohio's public school boards are limited in what they can accomplish, as they must abide by state laws rather than municipal authority. But that doesn't stop them from enacting "zero tolerance" rules on weapons and so-called lookalike weapons (e.g., cardboard cut into the shape of a handgun).

Don't expect many of them — or new candidates looking to join them — to allow teachers and school staff to carry firearms under a state law that went into effect in 2022. But you can count on many of them to issue resolutions calling for the Ohio General Assembly to push gun control measures.

Pay attention to agendas

All supporters of the Second Amendment should keep an eye not only on candidates but also on meeting agendas for their city or village councils, school boards, and trustees. You have a right to know what they are going to discuss, per Ohio's Open Meetings Act (sunshine laws).

Buckeye Firearms Association is counting on you to pay attention to your local government and help us hold them accountable. Not all municipalities' websites are the same, but generally speaking, start with your town's website and search for "council" and/or "agenda" and go from there.

Don't assume their only goal is to fix roads and improve curricula.

If you suspect your elected officials are up to no good when it comes to gun rights, please let us know by sending us a message online at buckeyefirearms.org/contact.

One thing has become clear: They will stop at nothing until they get their way, and they know an armed society defends a free society.

We must remain one.

Joe D. "Buck" Ruth, a longtime small-game hunter and gun owner who spent nearly three decades in the news industry, is the website and social-media manager for Buckeye Firearms Association.