After a decade-long effort, law-abiding citizens of Ohio will now be able to legally carry firearms for protection of themselves and their loved ones, the NRA reports in a recent news alert to its members.

On Jan. 8, Gov. Bob Taft (R) signed legislation making Ohio the 37th Right-to-Carry (RTC) state.

The Right-to-Carry issue had long been debated in the Ohio Legislature, and many past attempts had been stalled or killed.

HB 12, the RTC legislation, had languished for weeks while Taft threatened a veto. But on Jan. 7, the bill was passed in the state's House and Senate by overwhelming majorities and with virtually no debate, setting the stage for the governor's historic signing.

"The Right-to-Carry is a proven crime deterrent and will benefit all law-abiding Ohioans," said NRA-ILA Executive Director Chris Cox.

"On behalf of NRA's four million members, I would like to thank Governor Taft for signing Right-to-Carry into law. I would also like to recognize the support of Representative Jim Aslanides (R-94), the sponsor of the legislation, Speaker Larry Householder (R-91), Senate President Doug White (R-14), and all who voted for this important self-defense right. As always, the grassroots activism of thousands of NRA members was fundamental in achieving victory."

Nearly two-thirds of Americans live in Right-to-Carry states.

Despite ominous predictions by gun-ban groups, statistics show that states with Right-to-Carry laws have significantly less violent crime.

According to the FBI, on average, Right-to-Carry states have a 24 percent lower violent crime rate than states without the self-protection law.

In 2003, Right-to-Carry laws were enacted in New Mexico, Colorado, Minnesota and Missouri.

See the official Right-To Carry website, Packing.org