NRA still powerful in Ohio

From the Columbus Dispatch:

First, the lobbyist stopped a bill dealing with dog breeders -- after Senate leaders scheduled it for a vote.

A few hours later, John Hohenwarter persuaded senators to stay after midnight to strip language out of a another bill -- an amendment backed by county sheriffs that would have increased fees for concealed-carry licenses by $8 -- after the bill already had passed the Senate by an overwhelming margin.

Not a bad night's work for a lobbyist who never set foot inside the Statehouse.

When you represent the National Rifle Association, sometimes all you need is a phone -- and lawmakers willing to take your call even during legislative sessions.

Some might argue that the NRA's national influence diminished after gun-rights attacks had little effect on President-elect Barack Obama's victory, and because congressional Democrats built bigger majorities while largely ignoring gun issues in their campaigns.

But the NRA's clout remains rock solid inside the Ohio Statehouse, even on bills that do not directly affect gun rights.

Article here. Robust gun rights organizations, of which the NRA is the 800 pound gorilla in the room, will likely be needed more than ever in the coming years. Gun owners should support as many of them as they can, including NRA (and their lobbying arm, NRA-ILA), GOA (Gunowners of America), JPFO (Jews for the preservation of fireams ownership), etc.