Best State level pro gun org?

[S_O_Laban]

I am curious to know which state level pro gun organizations are/have been the most effective at gaining and maintaining pro gun legislation?

I am quite familiar with who/what helped us gain ground here in Missouri, but know little about groups in other states. I wonder if there is an organization out there that should be modeled due to their overall effectiveness? It would seem those in states where the local orgs are somewhat ineffective could learn something from those who have been very successfull.

Here in Missouri there are several state organizations who have been very helpfull in getting CCW legislation passed, including WMSA (Western Mo shooters Assosiation, a KC based group), GCLU (Gateway Civil Liberties Union, A St Louis based group), MSSA (Mo sport shooters assn. The state level NRA affiliate.) There are other groups here who also have helped and a couple who may have gone as far as to join the other side, when one considers the effects of their tatics.

So who do you think is the best or worthy of mention? Any comments or thoughts along these lines are appreciated.

 

[Standing Wolf]

The Virginia Citizens Defense League has been doing an outstanding job of a.) persuading legislators to start respecting citizens' Second Amendment civil rights, and b.) informing the nation of its efforts.

 

[S_O_Laban]

Standing Wolf: I'm glad you brought them up. They are the only other State org. that I am aware of, outside of my local groups.

What excatly makes them so effective?

 

[Mr. James]

Three words:

Philip
Van
Cleave

Seriously, I suspect he would be aghast at that characterization. What makes VCDL so effective is Mr. Van Cleave's superior organization/communication, the yeomen's work of the group's Executive Members, and a very energized and vocal grassroots membership.

When the call goes out, VCDL lights 'em up!

Just MHO . . .

 

[sturmruger]

I don't know anyone in VA, and I have never visited that fine state. If there was any state run organization that I could name off without a hesitation it would be the Virginia Citizens Defense League . Next it would be MN CCRN, and finally the WCCA here in WI.

 

[Spot77]

The Virginia Citizens Defense League has been doing an outstanding job

Amen to that brother. In addition to making VA one of the most gun friendly states they lend their time and support to help change things here in Maryland.

And I beleive they have thousands of active supporters. Can any members confirm whether dues are mandatory?

 

[pauli]

vcdl membership is $15 a year, iirc. i can't think of a better leveraged investment.

if every state had a group as good as vcdl, well...

 

[Telperion]

Even out here on the left coast we've heard of the great exploits of the VCDL.

Does Mr. Van Cleave give seminars on how to organize effective gun rights campaigns? Several states could sure use it.

 

[ebd10]

In Oregon...

...the Oregon Firearms Federation is the big dog. Kevin Starrett succeeds after the NRA has given up. His organization has been described in the anti-gun press as "vicious". EVERY Oregon gun owner owes OFF a debt of gratitude!

www.oregonfirearms.org

 

[ihmsa70]

State level pro-gun org.

Texas State Rifle Assn. One of the best.

 

[db_tanker]

+1 on the TSRA....

those guys been REAL busy in the legislature there in Austin.

One I particularly like is they passed a law saying its legal to carry loaded in your vehicle without a CHL...no having to be two counties away or some such or x number of miles from home...

 

[Chipperman]

GOAL in MA certainly has an uphill battle, but they are in their slugging it out the best they can.

 

[bjbarron]

The New Jersey Firearm and Storm Door Association (NJFSD)*

*Gots to have Storm Doors cuz it's too hard to get guns.

 

[Old Dog]

Where are my fellow Evergreen Staters? Here in Washington, we've got both the SAF (Second Amendment Foundation) and CCRKBA (Citizen's Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms) based here (Bellevue) ... and another terrific group, the Washington Arms Collectors (WAC).
http://www.saf.org/
http://www.ccrkba.org/
http://www.washingtonarmscollectors.org/

 

[dracphelan]

Another +1 for the TSRA. Not only are they very good on the gun law side. They count for a club when ordering from the CMP.

 

[Molon Labe]

PRO is Ohio's most active "gun-rights advocacy group."

I'm a member. It's a pretty good group.

 

[S_O_Laban]

Appreciate all the responses.

Mr James statement about Mr. Van Cleve is interesting. Quality leadership in any org. is a must.

It would be interesting to hear what VCDL was like before and then after Mr Van Cleve took the reins.

Actually the seminar idea or at least an overview of the steps taken by VCDL might provide great benefit to other State level orgs. who want to be more than they are now.

Think of the nationwide implications of not only having the 800#lb gorilla, the NRA, but having 50 state level gorillas also. Perhaps more focus at the state level will bring more national change?

 

[captain obvious]

VCDL is awesome!

If you want to see what a real "no compromise" pro gun group looks like, study them.

They were a main, if not the main, force behind putting a gun show right next to Dulles Airport - if anyone lived in NOVA in the 1990s, the magnitude of that achievement is clear.

 

[44Brent]

Least "honorable" mention

I nominate ISRA (Illinois State Rifle Association) for being the "worst" gun rights group in the country. Richard Pearson who heads the group is constantly doing things that are harmful to gun owners, not only in Illinois, but in other states.

 

[JohnBT]

How influential is VCDL? Last year the Washington Post did a lengthy article on it and put it on the front page.

"Armed and Determined" www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A47809-2004Nov13.html

John
Member www.vcdl.org
NRA Endowment Member

 

[Jeeper]

TSRA is really good. Then again, how hard is it really to get pro-gun laws in a place like Texas?

 

[Monkeyleg]

What about MCRGO in Michigan? I've always heard they did a great job.