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Blackwell and Strickland Sound Off on Gun Rights PDF Print E-mail
Written by Daniel White   
Wednesday, 20 September 2006

Ohio Gubernatorial hopefuls Ken Blackwell and Ted Strickland put in an appearance at the Goodyear Hunting and Fishing Club (near Akron) yesterday.

Both men spoke about their support for gun rights and issues affecting Ohio sportsmen.

From the Toledo Blade article:
Each touted his continuing support for firearms ownership and pro-gun issues, including passage of House Bill 347, which would streamline the state's complicated concealed firearms carry law.

While it would appear that Ohio gun owners win regardless of who gets elected, Ken Blackwell once again demonstrated the edge that earned him the endorsement of Ohioans For Concealed Carry.
In an interview, "I'm an outdoor enthusiast and firearms owner,'' Mr. Blackwell stated. He said that he regularly uses his shotguns on clay-target ranges, shooting skeet, trap, and Sporting Clays games.

He went on to list the models and gauges of his shotguns, and during the open forum also acknowledged he owns and shoots a .45 pistol and a target pistol. He also hunts both doves and pheasants, saying, "I've enjoyed both."

(snip)

He made a point of stating he is a member in the Ohio Gun Collectors Association and a life member of the National Rifle Association.

Later in the article, Strickland was contrasted:

Mr. Strickland, on the other hand, said in an interview that he currently owns no firearms. But he later told his audience that as a youth he enjoyed hunting squirrels, rabbits, and raccoons. He said while he has not hunted in recent years, his brothers own firearms collections and he intends to qualify for a state concealed carry handgun permit.

(snip)

Among other things, Mr. Strickland stresses his A rating, throughout his political career, from the National Rifle Association. Wayne LaPierre, the NRA's executive director, participated in a political fund-raiser for one of his campaigns.

While we certainly appreciate Strickland's past voting history, we cannot overlook the fact that Blackwell currently owns numerous firearms and shoots on a regular basis; not to mention the fact that a large percentage of his entire campaign staff has completed the training for a concealed handgun license.

When given a choice between a current gun owner and someone who hunted in his youth (and has selected an extremely anti-gun running mate), we feel that Ken Blackwell is the best choice for preserving gun rights in Ohio.