I'm not sure how many people have heard, but long-time AR15.com member and contributor Steven Nelson passed away at his home on Feb. 25. He was 49. Steve was an NRA Certified Instructor, eloquent gun rights activist for Ohio gun owners, and a prolific writer.

Steve had been in ill health for some time, but did not let many people know it. Up until a few weeks before his death, he still was helping teach Ohio CCW classes, writing for PROponent magazine, and preparing testimony to deliver to lawmakers in both houses of the Ohio General Assembly. He was a long-time member of Peoples Rights Organization, Ohio's largest grassroots gun rights organization, a member of its Board of Trustees, and was elected by the membership as vice chairman in both 2002 and 2003.

During his stint as PRO vice chair, he penned a report titled "It's NOT a Matter of Officer Safety," which took to task and helped derail the Ohio FOP's opposition to concealed carry in Ohio. In fact, after his piece was published he heard many positive comments from members of the Statehouse news media and law enforcement officers around the Buckeye State who were increasingly disappointed in the position of their state lobbyists.

Steve, wherever you are, thank you for fighting the fight, even when you didn't feel like it.