Where is the Wisconsin Rifle and Pistol Association?

[Professor Gun]

During the recent fight in Wisconsin for concealed carry it seemed to me that there was no participation in the battle by the Wisconsin Rifle and Pistol Association (WRPA). I went to their website back in December and all I could find on this issue was from two years ago during our last fight. I e-mailed them to ask what their position was in the current fight for concealed carry (that we recently concluded) and have yet to hear from anyone from WRPA. Is there anyone who can provide information about what, if anything, the WRPA did during the time we were fighting to get concealed carry in Wisconsin?

 

[AJ Dual]

Frankly, until your post, I wasn't even aware of the WRPA.

Perhaps that's part of their problem?

Monkeyleg here on the board is the treasurer for the WCCA and the WCCM. Perhaps he can offer you some insight as to where the WRPA has been.

 

[Monkeyleg]

The WRPA isn't really set up as a lobbying group.

There's been much discussion about forming a WRPA/ILA. I was asked to run for the board of directors so as to help out that effort.

Bob Burton, Buster Bachhuber, Bill King and other board members have been at the Capitol, but not as representatives of the WRPA, at least to the best of my knowledge. Buster is on the board of the NRA, and appears in that capacity.

 

[Professor Gun]

It really surprises me that the WRPA is not involved as an organization in these legislative issues that are so crucial to Wisconsin gun owners. I also find it disappointing.

I guess my next question would be: what exactly does WRPA do? I know that to participate in some of the sanctioned matches in Wisconsin, membership in the WRPA is required, but otherwise I have no idea what they do.

If they are going to affiliated with the NRA, I would suggest they need to be on the front lines with us in the battles at the level of the state for firearms rights. It makes no sense to me for an organization to be involved in shooting competitions and not take a stand on issues that may impact our ability to use or even own the firearms used in the various competitions they are involved with.

 

[Monkeyleg]

Professor Gun, as I said, they're going to form a WRPA/ILA organization so as to be politically involved.

For several years, there's been an effort to roll the WRPA, the WCCA, the Wisconsin Pro-Gun Movement, Sporting Heritage, and other groups into one single, monolithic organization.

I think it's really necessary. When I look at MCRGO in Michigan, I see a powerful group with 300,000+ members.

We're so splintered that one hand doesn't know what the other is doing.

 

[MGLouie]

Monkeyleg, thats the best idea yet.
It would get the duck hunters into the fight along with the elite trap shooters.

 

[Monkeyleg]

MGLouie, if we could replicate MCRGO here, the anti-gunners wouldn't stand a chance. Whenever there's some bill being proposed, they're able to mobilize the troops.

The problem has always been that some people don't want to give up their little fiefdoms. There's also a certain degree of squabbling between the various groups.

I doubt very much that any WCCA volunteer would mind doing the same work under the banner of WRPA/ILA.

Probably the only concern I have about such a monolithic organization is the bureaucracy that would accompany it. Simple decisions could take weeks or more to be approved.