I'll remain a member of the NRA for now (full disclosure, I have to - it's one of the prerequisites for membership in my gun club...), but I see no reason not to support some of the other gun rights organizations out there as well. I'd recommend also checking out the Second Amendment Foundation, founded by Alan Gottlieb whom I've had the pleasure of meeting, as well as Jews for the Preservation of Firearms Ownership even though I happen to be a Gentile. Even if you decide not to join these fine organizations, they're all worth dropping a few ducats to for their efforts in keeping up the good fight.
If you're not a member of at least one pro-firearms organization, consider one of the previously mentioned groups. Join your state organization (GOAL, in my case) - they're your "boots on the ground" in your state and are almost guaranteed to have their fingers firmly glued to the pulse of the gun community where you live. With your local organization, don't just join - help out! Quite often they'll sponsor local shooters, organize shoots, and generally keep everyone informed as to the local
What other organizations do folks out there belong to and/or endorse?
That is all.
8 comments:
I've been a life member of the GOA for a while but I'm not sure they are all that effective.
I'm also a member of SAF which is funding Alan Gura, so they ARE effective.
As for the NRA, the range likes it, and they have good training.
I'll really second your state organizations. I'm an executive member of the Connecticut Citizens defense League (CCDL.us) and we are a totally donations-based organization. No charge to join, no charge to attend our meetings or events. No offense to that 4 million member gorilla (that I'm a paid in full life member of) but they can not and do not react fast enough on a local level. Usually by the time/is they send out any kind of alert it's right at the wire of a vote. We work with pro2a people inside the state and local governments, and when we find out someone is even THINKING something anti we are right on it. Phone calls, emails, letters, committee meetings, our members are there trying to keep it from getting to the point where the NRA gets involved. I know first-hand how much time and money it takes; as well as how much good you can do if you are willing to get involved. Donate some money AND time to your local gun rights org, they could really use the help fighting for YOUR rights.
+1 for GOAL. They've been indispensable here, especially in the last few days fighting one-gun-per-month.
The GOA has never been able to convince me they're not just a front for angry conservatives rather than an actual gun rights organization.
I'm a GOAL and NRA member. I've tossed around the idea of ditching the NRA membership and sending the extra $35 to GOAL - the NRA probably won't notice it, and they'd save a ton of money by not having to send me a request to renew my membership every 2 weeks, along with the other junk I get (despite being on their "do not solicit" list). They also aren't particularly active here in Mass...
On the flip side, it is one more number for them in their campaigns, and all the other stuff they do. I guess I can suck up the $35.
I've thought about joining some other groups, but haven't gotten around to it, and usually just end up throwing money here and there to GOAL. They rock.
Definiately support more than one RKBA group, and definately support your state organization.
But there's a reason I quit GOA in the late 1990's. It wasn't bewcause they were "too pure" in fighting for my gun rights, either.
I'm a member of NRA and IowaCarry, both of which were instrumental in getting our shall-issue law passed in the last legislative term. I also support IllinoisCarry on ocassion since it would be nice to cross the river without stopping to unload and store my gun.
I won't give GOA a nickel, as they've not proven (to me) their worth as any sort of effective advocate of the cause. They sure do spend a lot of time carping about the NRA though.
Conversely, I keep my Texas State Rifle Association membership in good standing, along with my NRA membership. I'd join the JFPO if I had the sheckels in my budget, but it's a bit tight right now.
Here's an NRA tip you all will like. When renewing, call the main offices, and get connected to the membership department. Don't call the 800#, as that's likely an outsourced call center.
DO ask that your membership be coded as "NO PROMOTION". This will result in your getting NO solicitations, junk mail or other such from the NRA.
I don't know if you can get a current membership so coded, but it's surely worth a try.
Jim
Sunk New Dawn
Galveston, TX
NRA, GOA, SAF, Arizona Citizens Defense League and the AZ State Rifle and Pistol Assoc.
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