Expanding Support Beyond NRA

[Cp714]

Hello,

Would it be possible to expand the tab options beyond the NRA to include Gun Owners of America, Firearms Policy Coalition, and others?

[-hanko]

Hello,

Would it be possible to expand the tab options beyond the NRA to include Gun Owners of America, Firearms Policy Coalition, and others?

I'd vote NO on that. GoA and FPC are both jokes.

If you're looking for a great group that needs money, specifically for fighting California gun stupidity, send it to the CRPA. They have their own forum on Calguns.net

[Cowboy T]

Second Amendment Foundation might be a good idea, though.

[-hanko]

Second Amendment Foundation might be a good idea, though.

No disagreement.

[TrappedinCalifornia]

The NRA is the 'big dog' or 800-lb. gorilla and for good reason. But, even it started somewhere. Simply because it's the oldest and the largest doesn't mean it is the only or the only effective organization out there. Actually, to be more accurate, there's no reason it has to be the only 'big' organization or the only one supported.

Every organization has its good/bad points, supporters/detractors, and its areas of focus. If someone doesn't support "your" organization or supports an organization that "you" consider to be... 'unworthy'... bear in mind that they are, at least, putting their money where their mouth is a getting some 'skin' in the game. Even more to the point, the NRA may be the biggest group (and, arguably, heretofore, the most effective), but that doesn't mean they are 'the best' insofar as 'local/regional' concerns go.

The point is that if someone is looking to donate, but is hesitant to support the NRA right now, one needs to remember Reagan's "11th Commandment"... Thou shalt not speak ill of any fellow Republican... by simply replacing "Republican" with "pro gun" or "pro civil rights" or whatever nomenclature you prefer for an organization working to protect our rights. If the idea is that 'more is better,' then the 'more' isn't exclusively applicable to NRA membership numbers.

Could there be better coordination among the groups? Certainly. In fact, in this fight, egos and territorial stamping need to be put aside in the greater interest. Just remember, however, that many of the 'other' organizations got their start because some felt that the NRA wasn't doing a particularly good job, either nationally or locally/regionally and, in a few cases, not to mention from a certain point of view, the argument held, at least, some merit. Whatever rationale was or is offered, the NRA can't be everywhere, nor can it fully represent everyone's interests or points of view when it comes to protecting our rights.

Personally, I'd rather see people remain 'in the fight,' even if they don't, for the moment or for a period of time, directly support the NRA. Surely it's better to have people pushing back against 'anti civil rights' activities than to have them completely abandon the fight out of frustration that "their" interests aren't being served. Whether that perception is valid isn't the issue. You can make your case, but simply denigrating other organizations out-of-hand as 'ineffective' isn't going to be helpful or persuasive.

If the philosophical stance of an organization (e.g., "not one more inch") isn't the 'most pragmatic,' it still sends a message. If the lawsuits the organizations launch aren't the best, legally, then so long as they don't negatively impact the better suits, as we've experienced ourselves, they do 'drain' resources from those working against us; whether minimally or not, every little bit helps, even if only as a 'distraction.' If the focus of the organization is strictly local, recall that "all politics is local." That doesn't mean you have to or even want to support truly egregiously bad, ineffective, or groups who are potentially injurious to our rights. It means not everyone drinks the same brand of coffee or tea or drinks either for that matter.

In that vein...

NRA Alternatives: Pro-Gun & Special Interest Groups

Top 5 Gun Rights Organizations Better than the NRA



A Survey of Pro-Second Amendment Groups

A quick perusal might suggest a limited number of national organizations and a 'warning' or two regarding a couple of them. What you are looking for is a consistency in the suggestion as to whether they are worth supporting. As this one notes... 4 Pro-Gun Organizations to Join to Support the 2nd Amendment... GOA, FPC, 2nd Amendment Foundation are consistently mentioned in all of the above. The 4th? Even the membership here is divided or, has been, from time to time, over the years. (Ahem.)

You can find discussion threads on each on Calguns as well. As an example... Firearms policy coalition?

In there, you will find a post from a 'prominent' person on this site...

In order:

CRPA
CRPAF
NRA
NRA-ILA
GOC
SAF
Pink Pistols

...which jibes with those consistently noted in the above links. Yet, even on that thread, there is plenty of back and forth over personal takes on each.

The point is, do your own research, make your own (preferably informed) decision, and place your bet. At least you're in the fight. How effective or helpful you or that organization is or becomes is a derivative of...



Then again, you know the old Calguns motto... When having trouble choosing, buy 'em all.

[LBDamned]

https://www.saf.org/ (National)

AZCDL (AZ) - can't access site right, so no link... I need to reach out them to see why.

[Garv]

http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?p=24182874#post24182874

[OCEquestrian]

Hello,

Would it be possible to expand the tab options beyond the NRA to include Gun Owners of America, Firearms Policy Coalition, and others?

Just a reminder to the 93% of gun owners who are NOT members of the NRA and are too blind or ignorant to see any value in the $35/year NRA membership...

https://www.newsweek.com/scotus-may-step-gun-control-debate-hearing-nra-backed-lawsuit-concealed-carry-1579128