What other Gun rights group to join?

[TheOtherOne]

I'm a member of the NRA and despite some of the things they've done in the past that make me mad at them (mainly GOPA '86 - banning of new machine guns), I'm going to stay a member because I think they are the ones with the most political pull.

BUT I want to join a second orginization. I guess you could say as a backup!

I was thinking maybe Gun Owners of America, but what are some other good ones that have alot of members and need some more?

 

[Henry Bowman]

I like SAF (Second Amendment Foundation). I think that they put their money where their mouth is by funding (at least in part) court challenges to anti-gun rights laws. They have a web site and do e-mail alerts, but if you frequent this board, you have all the information there is, and much faster.

 

[barqfox]

I second the suggestion you mentioned of Gun Owners of America ( http://www.gunowners.org/ ). You might also check if they have a state chapter, that does things closer to home.

-Tom

 

[JohnKSa]

Aside from state chapters of national organizations, you may also have a state firearms association of some type or another.

Remember, while federal laws are important, the state laws will impact you a lot more directly in many ways.

Texas has the Texas State Rifle Association which is to the TX legislature what the NRA is to Congress.

 

[notbubba]

I belong to MCRGO.
Michigan Coalition of Responible Gun Owners.
They were the driving force behind Michigan passing the shall issue CCW.

Look into a local grass root orginization.
Win our rights back one state at a time!

 

[NRA Instructor]

In addition to the NRA and the others mentioned consider the Law Enforcement Alliance of America. Although the name sounds like only uniformed officers belong, membership is open to all who support the 2nd Ammendment and the Right to Carry.
Membership today is around 100,000. Got to www.leaa.org/ for their web site.

 

[JerryN]

I concur with the Second Amendment Foundation (www.saf.org) and the Gun Owners of America. I belong to both of them as well as the NRA. SAF and GOA are activists in ways that are seperate from but compliment the NRA. The Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms (CCRKBA) is another great group.

Its not that much money to contribute to all of em, and the information they send (especially, I think, SAF) is worth its weight in gold when proving your point to anti's or converting sheeple.

 

[pbman]

Join all you can afford to join.

I

 

[hd1.]

State based grassroots. (ditto to what "notbubba" wrote). In addition to getting a "Shall Issue" law passed, a state based organization can closely monitor the implimentation of the law. Even though we (in Michigan) have a "Shall Issue" law, there are those in positions of authority who attempt to erode our rights. That is, some county and city level officials try to add obstacles and conditions to the State Law. Through our grassroots organization (MCRGO), these abuses are challenged in court.

 

[FPrice]

TheOtherOne...

I will second (third, fourth???) both LEAA and SAF as great organizations to belong to in addition to the NRA. I am not anti-GOA, just do not know enough about them to be either pro or con.

But my basic guidance for organizations to belong to goes like this:

NATIONAL: EVERYONE who owns a firearm or likes to shoot or hunt should belong to the NRA. The NRA is not perfect (who or what is?) but they are the primary national organization who has an impact on national matters. They need our support AND our guidance on what issues to take on and how strongly they need to fight for these issues. We as firearms owners need to be united in defense of all of our rights no matter what type of firearm(s) we like or what shooting sport(s) we participate in. If you absolutely can't stand the NRA, then at least join another national organiztion. Better yet, join a few if your finances allow.

STATE: Find your state orgainization and join them. As someone else said, many of the issues we are facing are state-level (just ask Missourians) and you need a strong state-level push to defend your rights. IIRC you are from Utah. You should belong to the Utah State Rifle and Pistol Association ( http://www.usrpa.org/ ) and support their efforts.

LOCAL: As far as I know, there are very few local firearms rights groups so you should join and support your local range and clubs. Support them financially and insure that they are working to protect ALL shooting sports ans disciplines as well as your right to own and carry firearms.

Those are my recommendations. I hope they help and make sense.

 

[Vic303]

Hey, don't forget JPFO! If nothing else, ya gotta love the "Ask The Rabbi" forum they have!