state organizations, rather than national?

[Gifted]

I'm going to throw this out there. I've been thinking, and the thoughts on here about the NRA not being very effective, and such. For the most part, many national lobbying organizations have lost their purpose. The NRA(I tend to agree that they don't do as good of a job as they could) is just one example.

My thought was that you create a local, grassroots organization. Perhaps on the state level. This would focus exclusively on the state issues. As it's local, and smaller, they can put out the effort to cater to the specific needs of that state, and bring in alot of people that can't be reached by larger, national organizations. You wouldn't just focus on state issues. One of the points would be the Senators and Representatives from that state. It brings the responsability back to the local level, and I'd imagine it would be easier for such an organization to support local Libertarians and such.

Am I just repeating stuff?

 

[P0832177]

Perhaps you ought to seek out your state association?
http://www.nrahq.org/clubs/state.asp

 

[FPrice]

Gifted...

For the most part, many national lobbying organizations have lost their purpose. The NRA(I tend to agree that they don't do as good of a job as they could) is just one example.

I think you are both right and wrong in your post.

First, I don't think that the NRA is as bad as you might assume. But you have to look at the arena they operate in and the forces they often fight against. The NRA's emphasis has been on the national level and as such they faced some well-funded and fanatical foes. Foes whom I might add are often more unified than gun owners are.

My personal belief is that each gun owner/hunter should belong to at least three organizations.

National: You should belong to a national organization which works to protect our rights on the national level. The two which I feel are the most prominent are NRA and GOA. However, it's not an either/or situation. If you can, belong to both and double your (and their) efforts.

State: Just about each state has some state-wide organization which tries to unite gun owners, protect our rights, and often help in other ways such as promoting shooting events and competitions. Support of this organization can help fight anti-gun efforts at the state/local level.

Local: Do you have a local range or club that promotes shooting events and tries to organize local political campaigns? As the famous Massachusetts politician Tip O'Neil once observed, "All politics is local.". Get involved at the local level to work up the chain.

If your funds are very limited, it's a toss-up as to whether you should start local and work up, or go national, then work down. But whichever you choose, get involved and do something positive.

 

[NMshooter]

In my opinion the priority at the local level should be to teach basic firearms safety, handling, and marksmanship.

Then you teach them about local firearms laws.

Finally you can bring up the subject of national laws.

Ignorance is the most potent weapon in the anti's arsenal.

 

[TimRB]

"The NRA's emphasis has been on the national level and as such they faced some well-funded and fanatical foes. Foes whom I might add are often more unified than gun owners are."

FPrice is right on the money, especially with the part quoted above. How many of us know (or even *are*) gun owners who don't know the issues, can't be bothered to vote or write a letter, or worst of all, are willing to sell some of our gun rights down the river because the gun-grabbers don't seem to be after their shotguns/deer rifles/target rifles/whatever right now?

This is especially frustrating considering the fact that there are very few truly dedicated gun-haters. Most members of the Brady Bunch, MMM, etc. don't really think about guns that much, except that they know they don't like them. Contrast that with many shooters, certainly *most* here, who live and breathe guns all day every day. If we could harness that energy and focus it to our political advantage, gun owners would be invincible at the polls.

If you live in California, please consider joining the California Rifle and Pistol Association:

http://www.crpa.org

Tim

 

[El Tejon]

I hereby nominate NMShooter for the Board of Directors of the NRA!

 

[NMshooter]

Really?

Well, thank you!

Thought I was stating the obvious...