So which Gun Organization should I join and why??

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All politics is local. I agree with Massod Ayoob, your first priority should be a state or local (if available) group. Your money and time will count more there.

After this join the NRA. Yes, there are problems, but it is our biggest weapon.

I like GOA and JPFO very much, smart and aggressive.
 
I think you should join the NRA, and whatever local group seems to be the most active. You don't say where you are located so I can't give any more detailed suggestions.
 
Join them all if you can afford it. They all serve a different niche and are worth supporting. The more support we can garner the better. Remember, the anti-gunners make up organizations just to give themselves credit. At least ours actually do something for us.
 
NRA.

Rosie O'Donnel says we will never have gun control because of the NRA.

That'd make me sign up - but I'm already a Life Member.
 
I am not a member yet but I have also thought about joining the NRA. What are the prices now anyway (shoot I guess I can go look it up :what: )
 
The NRA-ILA is also fairly active in local politics, they are our sledgehammer of freedom to smash the brady's lies upon the anvil of truth:D and it doesn't hurt that Magnum PI is the director
 
I belong to the NRA, GOA and the JPFO. I have to also agree that if your planning on joining just one then it should be the NRA first. They are the biggest and most likely carry the most wieght.
 
NRA hands down. Join your State chapter of the NRA as well as something like VCDL (VA Citizens Defense League). The State chapters are ok about addressing local issues, but the grass roots groups like VCDL are the most effective on local issues. The NRA simply b/c there is nothing better and you tend to get a lot for your money. They are also the 1800 pound gorilla that crosses ALL sections of the shooting sports and industry.
The NSSF isn't a bad one to look at either, though they are more attuned to the industry side of things.
 
How the heck do you find out your local gun rights group? I'm having a heck of a time finding one in King County, WA. Maybe one doesn't exist...

Thanks!
Greg
 
I'll offer a counter-opinion here. Note up front that I'm not a "joiner," and am more likely to send a money order (checks get you on lists for more donations) rather than be a member anywhere. having said that, and I'm not going to get into a debate as these comments always piss people off:

NRA: 2 out of 3 times I see them engage I disagree with their approach. They do good, but they also do harm, often undermining local efforts in the name of "the big picture," or some indefinable backroom deal that's going down. They're also the kind of organization that pens some of the gun control crap we need to deal with now -- I don't buy into the argument that appeasement is a good strategy. Again, you can flame this opinion if you want, but I won't reply to it.

GOA: I used to be a big fan, then Larry Pratt put pro-life in front of pro-gun for some rankings of politicians. I thought it was still a good organization, but after the "sudden jihad syndrome" crap lately they'll never see another dollar from me.

JPFO: They might be a bit shrill sometimes, but they do good work. Good folks.

SAS: Another good organization. Don't know a lot about them, but like everything I've heard.

Pink Pistols: As with SAS, I haven't seen anything I haven't liked. It's a good idea -- targeting a traditionally liberal segment of the population and selling "CCW and gun ownership are good" by relating to issues they take personally, like gay-bashing.

That's all that strikes me off the top of my head.
 
As many as you can possibly afford. Please join AT LEAST the GOA AND NRA.
Don't forget RKBA and the others, there are several.

I like GOA best because we don't compromise our rights away. For example, the NRA is currently sponsoring a bill to grant reciprocity among the states - if you have a permit carry concealed in a state that you'd be permitted to do so in all the other states. The problem is that here in Vermont we're not required to get a permint to exercise our constitutional right to keep and bear arms. Thus, this bill won't help me any if I travel to another state.

There is another organization known for taking a hard line. I apologize I can't remember it's exact name but it's something like Jews for the Preservation of Firearms Liberties (JPFL ?). No, you don't have to be Jewish to join and I hope to someday when I can afford it.

I just paid my yearly dues to NRA and GOA will be next. Usually it's the other way around but NRA offered me a $10 off special.
 
I also avoid joining groups, but I'm extremely active in pro-2A politics. It kills me when I see politicians and celebrities blaming the NRA for actions that I have helped bring about as a private citizen. I do join groups on occasion, when we are working towards a common cause. I haven't joined the NRA because the group always seems to be behind the curve, something I blame for the passage of the AWB, but I think with all the anti-2A forces railing against the NRA as if the organization is responsible for the tragedy in VA, I believe it is finally time I got off the fence and joined the organization. Perhaps I can work to help make it a bit more effectual.
 
I have been a member of the NRA for a while, I am also a member of a few maryland gun rights organizations, but most of my efforts have been personal, I use the NRA alerts and THR to locate bills that I want to put some effort into fighting, occasionally I also lurk on the brady site to keep an eye on what the enemy is up to. I write my own letters to officials, I appear in Annapolis and Washington to voice my opinions, I mostly use the organizations to, well organize with other like minded folks, and the NRA has a few nice competitions that are fun to participate in, afterall all work and no play gets dull after a while
 
Gregma

try joining the Washington Arms Collectors (WAC). They're the most active gun rights group in Washington, as well as putting on nearly half of the gun shows in the state (Puyallup & Monroe).
http://www.washingtonarmscollectors.org or call (425) 255-8410

Or try the Washington State Rifle & Pistol Association, the state's NRA affiliate.
http://www.wsrpa.net

Both of those organizations are represented in Olympia by GOAL, the Gun Owenrs Action League of WA (not a membership organization but a PAC). E-mail me for additional details.

Interesting that no one to date has mentioned SAF and/or CCRKBA (they're sister organizations). SAF funded the successful lawsuit against the FIRST San Francisco handgun ban in 1982 and has partnered with the NRA fighting the current ban. Although the NRA conveniently forgets to mention it, SAF is also the other partner in the New Orleans lawsuit. SAF also funded the gun carry lawsuit in Ohio that made it all the way (successfully) to the state Supreme Court, credited by many with forcing the concealed carry bill through Ohio's legislature in 2003.

The bottom line is, join as many groups as you can afford, then make additional donations to whichever groups or on whatever issues float your boat. SAF and CCRKBA membership is $15/year, GOA $20, NRA $35 (frequently discounted, and currently free to active duty military). As you can see by my sig line, I spread my dues money around.
 
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ORG.

Join the NRA.pay quarterly and you become a life member ask for the program.
SAS: I don't belong but I subscribe to their paper (3 times month) and talk to the editor Joe Tataro.lot of news there.more members more scared of NRA the antis become also the media and polititions under stand numbers.:fire: :banghead:
 
Every freakn' one you can afford, but the NRA first.

And write e-mails and letters to the editors, and state and federal office holders.
 
I think that Derek means SAF ("Second Amendment Foundation"), not "SAS."
I'm not a joiner either. All I want is to keep my guns and enjoy them.

That's why I belong to and support the NRA and our local grassroots organization. The NRA is the most influential and effective national gun rights organization. It's the organization that Senators and Representatives pay attention to, and it's the organization that The Brady Campaign treats as the only enemy worth attacking. The NRA also is the most active and most effective source of firearms education in the country.

Grassroots organizations work more effectively on the state and local level. It's inevitable that they will disagree with the NRA on some matters because the viewpoints are different. It doesn't bother me. I live in an imperfect world.

Everything I've seen about SAF feels right to me too. What attracts me to it most is that it works well with the NRA on many vital issues.

I won't support any group that fights with or against the NRA. They waste time, energy, and money. I'd prefer that they waste other people's money instead of mine. I also think such tactics undercut us.
 
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