As conservatives we used to judge candidates by their deeds, their votes, the bills they signed and/or the bills they vetoed.  We've never relied upon the promises of politicians because those promises are too easily broken.  

Ted Strickland earned the votes of gun owners over many years through his deeds, his votes, and the bills he strongly supported and signed into law.  And no bill was more important to Ohio gun owners than SB 184, the Victims Rights Bill.  Here's what the NRA and the Buckeye Firearms Association had to say about it:

I want to thank all parties concerned for working together to make this victims’ rights bill the law in Ohio,” said Chris W. Cox, NRA's chief lobbyist. When you're confronted by a criminal, you don't have the luxury of time. Under the ‘Castle Doctrine’ provision, if someone breaks into your occupied home or temporary habitation, or your occupied car, you now have an initial presumption that you may act in self defense and you will not be second-guessed by the State. The ability to protect yourself and your family from harm is important no matter where you are.

Also included in SB184 are several pro-gun provisions that make Ohio's concealed carry laws more “user friendly”. Among these revisions include important clarifications for persons without a Concealed Handgun License (CHL) to legally transport firearms in an automobile, and pick up/drop off abilities for license holders in school safety zones. The bill also designates mandatory legal fees for gun owners who require court orders to have firearms returned to them, decriminalizes concealed carry in privately owned parking garages, allows permit holders to carry a firearm in an unlocked glove compartment or center console and removes the written test requirement for renewal of a concealed handgun license.

We should not forget that Ohio's concealed carry law was significantly watered down in order to avoid a veto from then Governor Taft. Taft also opposed any changes to make the law more firearm owner friendly.  It took the election of a conservative Democrat from Southeastern Ohio named Ted Strickland before Ohioans could safely protect themselves from criminals that would invade our homes and our cars.