“How many words are there in the Second Amendment?” was the lead off from Joe Eaton, Buckeye Firearms Association’s Southwest Ohio Region Leader. Eaton spoke to a full room of approximately 60 attendees at the Sharonville Public Library about the role of Buckeye Firearms, current and pending legislation in Ohio, the Second Amendment, and the recently announced Armed Teacher Training Program.
The answer is 27.
“A well-regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.”
Joe Barrett from the Tactical Defense Institute was also scheduled to speak, but was unable to attend due to a family medical emergency.
Eaton gave an overview of BFA’s Armed Teacher Training Program, which was announced on December 20, only six days after the school shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary. The program, originally intended to offer free firearms training to 24 teachers and school employees as first responders to prevent school shootings, has changed in size and scope. The program was the focal point of the group’s interest and discussion.
BFA received an overwhelming response to their pilot program. In December, 1300 applicants volunteered for training and applied for 24 openings. School employees from 23 states have requested training. Forty percent of the applicants already have a Concealed Handgun License (CHL).
“We want teachers armed with something besides hope”, says Eaton. Training will focus on advanced skills, “active killer scenarios”, “shooting on the move, force-on-force, live-fire houses, and outdoor training” focused on the school setting.
The Buckeye Firearms Foundation, a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization focused on education and administered by volunteers, is funding training for the first group of 24 at the Tactical Defense Institute in Adams County, Ohio. Training costs approximately $1000 per student. BFF projects that they will need to raise at least $1.2 million dollars to train current applicants.
In the aftermath of the Sandy Hook Elementary school shooting on December 14, 2012, the clamor and demands for more “gun safety” legislation from the media and the Progressive left have been relentless.
On January 16, President Obama willingly complied, signing 23 Executive Orders on gun control, including, “PUT UP TO 1,000 MORE SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICERS AND COUNSELORS IN SCHOOLS AND HELP SCHOOLS INVEST IN SAFETY” and “take executive action to provide incentives for schools to hire school resource officers.”
While no one can argue that school safety is the utmost priority, these Executive Orders only raise more questions. How will we pay for these “incentives”? How much would it cost Ohio taxpayers to hire School Resource Officers in every school for 175 days of school each year? And at what cost to our liberty? Eaton also brought up the specter of school “security levies” on the ballot.
According to Eaton, over 100 teachers in the Cincinnati tri-state area have gotten their CCW since the Sandy Hook shooting in December.
Lt. Col. Dave Grossman, an expert in “killology” and violent crime, writes and teaches school safety and how to prevent school violence. He trains school staff and students how to react in the event of a school shooting. Lt. Col. Grossman speaks annually at BFA’s fundraiser.
Buckeye Firearms Association works in Ohio at the state level and is the leading voice in Ohio on the Second Amendment. BFA is a non-partisan, all volunteer “grassroots political action committee (PAC) dedicated to defending and advancing the right of Ohio citizens to own and use firearms for all legal activities.” The group works to endorse and elect pro-Second Amendment candidates at all levels of state government and to pass pro-gun legislation and defeat anti-gun legislation. (More)
Eaton defined two citizen action items to help protect and advance Second Amendment gun rights in Ohio:
- Contact your state representative to establish a relationship, give input, and educate them about firearms.
- Support and elect candidates who favor gun rights
Eaton also discussed Ohio’s H.B. 495 and changes to Ohio firearm laws that go in effect on March 27, 2013.
Consider supporting and donating to Buckeye Firearms to continue their work in Ohio. Click here for more information about the Armed Teacher Training program, Buckeye Firearms, or to make a donation.
Ohio Pundit 